Market reference note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
On the day an elderly parent is discharged after surgery or inpatient treatment, families feel relief and worry at the same time. The thought "we can finally bring them home" mingles with the anxiety of "but can we really care for them properly at home?" In fact, a care gap immediately after discharge is one of the most common reasons for readmission. Fortunately, both Korea and the United States have programs to support families during this period, and in 2026 both countries have expanded their coverage.
🇰🇷 Korea Starting in 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has established a Short-Term Intensive Service for Discharged Patients within the 노인맞춤돌봄서비스 (Customized Care Service for Older Adults). The program is for adults aged 65 and older who have completed inpatient treatment at a hospital-level or higher medical institution, are at high risk of readmission, and require combined medical, nursing, and care support. Services include nutritional support (provision of balanced meals), household support (meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry), and accompaniment support (accompanying the person to hospitals, pharmacies, and government offices). The monthly service limit is 848,000 won per person, with no out-of-pocket cost to the recipient. The service period is in principle one month, with a one-month extension possible if unavoidable circumstances arise.
🇰🇷 Korea This service is also connected to the integrated care system. Local governments comprehensively assess each recipient's health status and care needs, establish an individualized support plan, and deliver tailored services in an integrated manner. Nationwide, the number of 노인맞춤돌봄서비스 recipients has expanded from 550,000 to 576,000 in 2026, and discharged patients are managed under a separate budget. Applications can be made through the 읍·면·동 주민센터 (community service center) in the applicant's area of resident registration. Eligible individuals include recipients of 국민기초생활수급 (National Basic Livelihood Security), 차상위계층 (near-poverty households), and 기초연금 (Basic Pension), provided they meet the criteria for requiring protective care.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare (Medicare Part A) covers care in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) following a hospital discharge. To qualify, the beneficiary must have been admitted as an inpatient for at least 3 days and must enter the SNF within 30 days of discharge. As of 2026, Medicare covers 100% of the cost for the first 20 days, with no out-of-pocket cost to the beneficiary. From day 21 through day 100, a daily copayment of $217 applies, and from day 101 onward all costs are the beneficiary's responsibility. The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.
🇺🇸 U.S. In 2026, prior authorization rules for Medicare Advantage (MA) plan enrollees have also been strengthened. Urgent approvals must be decided within 72 hours, and standard approvals within 7 days, and denials must include a specific reason. If SNF admission is denied, a significant number of cases are overturned on appeal, so it is worth pursuing an appeal and seeking free assistance through SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) rather than giving up. Additionally, CMS increased the FY2026 SNF payment rate by 3.2% over the prior year, resulting in an overall increase in total payments of approximately $1.16 billion.
Looking at the two countries' systems side by side, a clear commonality emerges: both Korea and the United States recognize the short-term intensive care period immediately after discharge as a policy priority and are moving to strengthen support. However, the form of support differs. Korea's approach centers on in-home services (nutrition, household assistance, and accompaniment), while the United States relies primarily on admission to a specialized facility. If your parent is in Korea, the fastest approach is to contact the hospital social worker or community service center before discharge and request a service referral. If your parent is in the United States, it is advisable to begin confirming SNF eligibility with the hospital case manager starting on the third day of hospitalization.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare, "2026 Customized Care Service for Older Adults Program Guide" (2026); Gunsan City, "Major Policy Changes in 2026" (January 2026); Jeju Domin Ilbo report on the Short-Term Intensive Service for Discharged Patients (May 2026); CMS, "FY2026 SNF PPS Final Rule" (July 31, 2025, published in the Federal Register August 4, 2025); Medicare.gov, "SNF Care Coverage 2026"; Senioridy.com Medicare SNF Coverage 2026 guide; Senioridy.com MA SNF Coverage 100-Day Rule guide.
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.