Market Context Note: This article addresses 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 refers to.
Many families feel that hospital visits are the greatest source of stress in caring for aging parents. You have to push a wheelchair, wait long hours for appointments, manage prescriptions—and it's not easy to do this alone when your elderly parent cannot go by themselves. For adult children living in the United States, managing parents' medical appointments from afar is especially difficult.
There is good news. 🇰🇷 Korea Starting in 2026 as a pilot program, the hospital escort support service represents the most groundbreaking change in Korea's long-term care home services. When requested by users of home-visit care services, adult day/night care, or nursing facilities, caregivers from visiting care agencies will be dispatched to accompany beneficiaries to hospitals.
🇰🇷 Korea As a result of raising long-term care insurance rates to strengthen beneficiary coverage, the monthly usage limit for home service users will increase by 18,920 to 247,800 won depending on long-term care insurance grade. In particular, for severe beneficiaries (long-term care grades 1 and 2), the monthly limit will increase by more than 200,000 won compared to last year, enabling them to use sufficient home care services. For grade 1 beneficiaries, three-hour home-visit care will be available up to a maximum of 44 times per month next year, compared to 41 times this year. For grade 2 beneficiaries, usage will increase from 37 times per month this year to 40 times per month next year.
What is the situation in the United States? 🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare in the United States is a health insurance system for the elderly, first established in 1965 and operated by the federal government. Once you reach age 65, you can receive Medicare benefits regardless of income, employment, or health status. However, private insurance companies also participate in program operations, and Medicare benefits are divided into Parts A, B, C, and D, creating a somewhat complex structure.
🇺🇸 U.S. Part A covers some home care and hospice care expenses. Part B covers physician and other healthcare provider visits, outpatient treatment, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive medical services. However, U.S. Medicare does not sufficiently cover long-term care facility costs, so many older adults purchase additional private insurance.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Part B premiums will increase 12% in 2026, rising from 185 dollars in 2025 to 202.90 dollars in 2026. Part D (prescription drug insurance) annual out-of-pocket spending cap is fixed at 2,100 dollars. However, the Part D maximum deductible will increase from 590 dollars in 2025 to 615 dollars in 2026.
The biggest difference between Korea and the United States is their approach. 🇰🇷 Korea The core of Korea's long-term care insurance changes starting in 2026 is a clear government message: 'Receive care services at home for as long as possible.' The policy shift from nursing facility-centered care to home-based service-centered care is not a simple change but an essential choice in preparing for a super-aged society. Korea operates a stable single-payer insurance system centered on the National Health Insurance Service while focusing on expanding concrete services like hospital escorts.
If you have parents in the United States, it's worth looking into the Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) when choosing Medicare. 🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is a 'bundled' plan provided by private companies approved by Medicare. It guarantees all benefits and services covered by Parts A and B and usually Part D. Through this plan, you often can receive home visiting services and additional care options.
In conclusion, 2026 marks a clear turning point toward 'community-based' care for elderly people in Korea. Hospital escorts, home visit medical care, and expansion of home care services are all designed to reduce the burden on family caregivers. Adult children living in the United States can also benefit from knowing about these changes, allowing them to plan more clearly what services they can use with their parents. Sierra Care Advisor will help families living in both Korea and the United States make the best care choices amid these policy changes.
Source: Republic of Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare announcement on 2026 long-term care insurance premium rate increase and system improvements (November 4, 2025); U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) official Medicare guidance materials; Social Security Administration's 2026 Medicare and You handbook.
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.