Market scope note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each item is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
If the stack of medication packets your parents take every month seems to grow a little thicker each year, age alone may not be the only explanation. In both Korea and the United States, the chronic-disease burden on adults 65 and older continues to rise. 🇰🇷 Korea According to "2025 Chronic Disease Status and Issues," published by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (질병관리청) in December 2025, adults aged 65 and older accounted for 20.3% of the total population — 10,514,000 people — as of 2025, officially surpassing the threshold for a super-aged society. In 2024, the average annual medical expenditure per person aged 65 or older was 5,510,000 won, 2.4 times higher than the overall population average of 2,260,000 won. 🇰🇷 Korea As of 2023, total medical costs attributable to chronic diseases reached 90 trillion won, representing 84.5% of all medical expenditures. These figures speak to just how heavily medication costs weigh on elderly households.
🇰🇷 Korea The National Health Insurance catastrophic cost protection program (건강보험 산정특례제도) significantly reduces the patient co-payment rate for people with serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Even for conditions requiring long-term management — such as hypertension and diabetes — costs can be reduced within the general outpatient co-payment cap framework. Starting in 2026, the Healthy Lifestyle Practice Support Payment program (건강생활실천지원금제), which encourages preventive health management, is being expanded; incentives are being strengthened so that individuals who consistently practice healthy behaviors can receive partial reimbursement of their co-payments.
🇰🇷 Korea Beginning in 2026, a measure to reduce the patient share of nursing-care costs will be applied to seriously ill patients hospitalized in long-term care hospitals (요양병원). Previously, patients were required to bear 100% of nursing-care costs out of pocket; under the new plan, this is set to be reduced to approximately 30% on a phased basis (with full implementation targeted for 2027 and beyond). In addition, home medical care centers (재택의료센터) for long-term care recipients with limited mobility are being expanded from 192 locations at the end of 2025 to 250 locations in 2026, broadening the foundation for receiving home visits from physicians, nurses, and social workers. Because prescription services are also linked to this program, it can serve as a practical option for parents who have difficulty getting around.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Part D (prescription drug insurance) is also undergoing major changes in 2026. The most notable change is the introduction of an annual out-of-pocket spending cap. Starting in 2026, out-of-pocket costs for Part D-covered prescription drugs are capped at a maximum of $2,100 per year. Once that amount is reached, beneficiaries can continue receiving their medications for the rest of the year at no additional cost. This serves as a meaningful safety net for older adults managing multiple medications for chronic conditions — particularly those using high-cost drugs. Additionally, insulin costs remain capped at $35 per month, and adult vaccines recommended by ACIP are provided at no cost to the beneficiary when covered under Part D.
🇺🇸 U.S. Starting July 1, 2026, a landmark pilot program related to obesity medications (GLP-1 class drugs) has launched. Under the "Medicare GLP-1 Bridge" program operated by the U.S. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), eligible Part D enrollees can access obesity medications such as Wegovy, Zepbound, and Phoundry for a co-payment of just $50 per month. The program runs through December 31, 2027. Previously, federal law prohibited Medicare from covering drugs prescribed solely for obesity, but CMS has used its demonstration authority to open a temporary pathway. The primary target population includes older adults with obesity alongside hypertension, prediabetes, or cardiovascular risk factors; eligibility is granted to those with a BMI of 35 or higher, or a BMI of 30 or higher with certain comorbid conditions.
🇺🇸 U.S. Beyond the GLP-1 Bridge, Medicare has reduced costs for 10 major drugs used for chronic conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and diabetes by applying government-negotiated prices starting in 2026. According to CMS, these drug price reductions are projected to save Medicare beneficiaries approximately $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone. Families should also be aware that the Medicare Part B standard monthly premium has risen to $202.90 — exceeding $200 for the first time this year.
Managing chronic disease medications is not a journey of months but of decades. We encourage you to review your parents' current medication list and, with the help of their physician or an insurance counselor, verify whether they are enrolled in Korea's 건강보험 산정특례 program, or — in the United States — whether they have reached the Part D annual cap or qualify for the GLP-1 Bridge program. When caring for your parents from a distance feels overwhelming, Sierra Care Advisor is here to help you find the connections between the systems in both countries.
Sources: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, "2025 Chronic Disease Status and Issues" (December 2025); Republic of Korea Policy Briefing (정책브리핑), "This Is How Health and Welfare Policies Will Change in 2026" (December 2025); Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, "2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey" (October 2025); U.S. CMS, official guidance on "Medicare GLP-1 Bridge" (July 2026); ElderlawAnswers, "How Medicare Changes in 2026 Will Affect Older Adults" (2026); CMS, "Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes" final rule (April 2025); CNBC and CNN GLP-1 reporting (June–July 2026).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.