Market-based guidance: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is marked in the text as 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. to indicate which country it applies to.
"Should we move to a nursing home?" When parents have difficulty getting around, many families start with this question. But in 2026, both Korea and the United States introduced policies that change the starting point of this concern. The core message is the same: the government will reach out first to ensure that people can receive care where they live, in familiar spaces.
🇰🇷 Korea Starting March 27, 2026, the "Integrated Care Support Act" went into effect. It consolidates healthcare, long-term care, and daily care services into one system, so that when you apply at a single location—either an eup·myeon·dong administrative welfare center or the National Health Insurance Service—medical, care, and housing services connect in a one-stop structure. The government explained the law's core purpose as "supporting elderly people in need of care to continue living in their existing homes without relocating to nursing hospitals or facilities." Home medical centers, where doctors, nurses, and social workers visit directly, will also increase from 192 centers at the end of 2025 to 250 centers in 2026.
🇰🇷 Korea The monthly benefit limit for long-term care home services has also risen. Grade 1 increased from 2.31 million won to 2.51 million won, and Grade 2 increased from 2.08 million won to 2.33 million won. The target beneficiaries of the Customized Care Service for Elderly Persons—which provides safety checks and household support for seniors with difficulty in daily living—expanded from 550,000 to 576,000 people. The 2026 elderly welfare budget increased from approximately 27 trillion won in 2025 to 29.3161 trillion won. More important than the numbers is the direction. The government has declared a shift toward an integrated system that bundles income, care, health, and leisure into one "life package" rather than separate service windows.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare is also continuing its home health service approach in 2026. Medicare supports skilled medical services—such as home health nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy—at home, based on a doctor's prescription and services from a Medicare-certified agency. As long as eligibility requirements are met, there is still no limit on the number of visits. However, in 2026, Medicare home health service agencies will see a 1.3% rate reduction, meaning that in some areas, service supply conditions may become somewhat tighter—something family caregivers should be aware of.
🇺🇸 U.S. Approximately 35 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. While Advantage plans must in principle provide the same home care services as Original Medicare, prior authorization requirements and visit limits can vary by plan, so it is a good idea to review your parent's specific plan benefits carefully. Medicaid supports long-term home and community-based services (HCBS) for those who meet income and asset criteria, though the scope of coverage varies by state.
Both countries are moving in the same direction, but the details of each system apply differently depending on the household. 🇰🇷 Korea Because service differences still exist by local government, it is important to check the specific service details directly at the senior center or welfare facility in the region where your parents live. 🇺🇸 U.S. Since benefit ranges also differ by state of residence or the plan in which you are enrolled, using SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)—a free Medicare counseling service—can provide fair and useful guidance.
Sources: Republic of Korea Policy Briefing "How Healthcare and Welfare Policies Will Change in 2026" (December 17, 2025), Health and Welfare Forum "Social Services and Care in 2026: Current Status and Challenges" (Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs), Insurance Research Institute "Elderly Care Policy and the Role of Insurance Companies" (KIRI), Bravo My Life·Nate News "Understanding Changes in Elderly Welfare Policy for 2026" (January 2026), Medicare Rights Center "Understanding Medicare Home Health Care" (January 28, 2026), Supplemental Health Care "Medicare Updates for 2026: What Home Health Professionals Need To Know" (February 2026), CMS 2026 Medicare Advantage Final Rule (AHA, September 2025), Medicare.gov Home Health Services Coverage.
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.