Market reference note: This article covers information from both Korea and the U.S. Each piece of information is marked in the text as 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. to indicate which country it applies to.
When parents are discharged from the hospital, family caregivers often say the same thing: "Now what do we do?" When the hospital calls, there's relief mixed with an overwhelming sense of responsibility about bringing them home. Medical treatment may be complete, but true recovery to daily life requires much longer. Fortunately, in 2026, both Korea and the U.S. have significantly strengthened systems to close the care gap after discharge.
🇰🇷 Korea The most noteworthy change in 2026 is the introduction of the "Intensive Short-Term Service for Discharged Patients." The Ministry of Health and Welfare has launched a new service for 10,000 seniors discharged from acute-care or long-term care hospitals. Within one month of discharge, it provides a package of nutrition, housekeeping, and mobility support services—up to a maximum of 44 hours per month. The core purpose of this service is to prevent admission to long-term care facilities and help seniors recover their daily lives at home. Applications can be made by the senior themselves or by family members within the eighth degree of blood relation or the fourth degree of marital relation. You can apply by visiting the Administrative Welfare Center (읍·면·동 행정복지센터) at your registered address or online through Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr).
🇰🇷 Korea Starting March 27, 2026, a larger system change also took effect: the Integrated Health, Long-Term Care, and Caregiving Support Act (통합돌봄, integrated care support) began full implementation nationwide. Previously, you had to apply separately for each needed service—visiting medical care, senior customized care services, dementia management, and so on. Now, with a single application, local governments take the lead in connecting and coordinating the necessary medical, long-term care, and caregiving services as a package. Particularly important is that even those without a long-term care grade can now receive support based on a local government's judgment if actual difficulties in daily living are confirmed.
🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare also has federal regulations regarding discharge planning (42 CFR §482.43). According to these regulations, hospitals must actively include patients, families, and caregivers as partners in the discharge plan and must develop an individualized plan aimed at effective transition to post-discharge care and preventing readmission. Additionally, hospitals must educate patients and caregivers on needed care methods before discharge and provide a list of home health agencies (HHA) or skilled nursing facilities (SNF) that participate in Medicare in the local area.
🇺🇸 U.S. When admission to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) is necessary after discharge, Medicare Part A covers SNF costs only for seniors who were admitted for at least 3 consecutive days. As of 2026, the first 20 days are fully covered with no out-of-pocket cost, and from days 21 through 100, there is a daily out-of-pocket payment of $217. After day 101, Medicare coverage ends, so if long-term care is anticipated, it is important to check in advance whether Medigap or Medicaid coverage applies. Meanwhile, starting January 2026, a "TEAM model" pilot program has begun, which waives the 3-day admission requirement for 5 specific surgeries including hip joint replacement, spinal fusion, and coronary artery bypass.
Both countries are moving their systems toward reducing care gaps after discharge, but families can still experience real difficulties within these systems. In Korea, it can take up to 30 days from application to approval, and in the U.S., if a patient is classified as observation status, SNF benefits may not be recognized at all. It is important to develop the habit of confirming your admission status with the hospital before discharge—whether it is formal admission or observation status. Most importantly, discharge planning should be prepared from the early stages of admission, not on the day of discharge itself.
Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, "2026 Senior Customized Care Service Business Guide," Ministry of Health and Welfare 2026 Work Plan (Bravo My Life report), Korean Hospital Association, "Integrated Care Manual for Discharged Patients (for Hospitals and Local Governments)," January 2026, Easy-to-Find Living Legal Information (easylaw.go.kr), May 2026 standard, U.S. Federal Regulation 42 CFR §482.43 (eCFR, June 2026 standard), Medicare.gov Skilled Nursing Facility Benefit Guide, Center for Medicare Advocacy (TEAM Model 3-day Rule Exemption), NCOA (National Council on Aging) Medicare Discharge Planning 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.