FAQ Long-Term Care Insurance System (Kaigo Hoken)

*Long-Term Care Insurance System

Under the long-term care insurance system, people 40 years old and over are required to enroll and pay insurance premiums. When the need for care or assistance is recognized, they are able to utilize the care service by paying 10 or 20 percent of the medical cost.

The insured will be categorized into two types depending on the age, and also the condition of care service usage depending on the insured person.

Under the long-term care insurance system, people aged 40 or older are obliged to enroll and pay insurance premiums. Should they need it, they are eligible to use services such as care at home or in institutions, rent disability-assisting equipment and to receive placement in welfare facilities for the elderly needing care, paying only 10 or 30% of the medical costs charged for such services.

Those aged 40 years and older who are eligible for residence registration in Sapporo are obliged to enroll in the long-term care insurance program. Premiums are based on income.

The care services covered by the insurance vary by age and health condition. The use of these services requires application at the relevant ward office and certification as being in need of such care;

For those age 65 and older (first insured person).

For those age 40 to 64 (second insured person).

About the eligibility for Long-term Care Insurance, please ask "Insurance and Pension Section" at your local Ward Office.

*Necessity of Long-Term Care Insurance

It is anticipated that the number of elderly people who are bedridden or suffering from dementia will increase rapidly as they age.

Because of the need of long term nursing care for aging family members taking care of the elderly, it is difficult for family members to take care of older person within the same household. The issue of the Long-Term Care is an uneasy factor in old age. There is a limit to the existing system for welfare and medical care for the elderly in terms of long-term care for the elderly.

For further information, please contact following division

*Regarding inquiries about the recognition of need of care or assistance and usage of service;

Please contact of your ward office.

*About the insurance card and premiums;

Please contact of your ward office.

*The insured is the following;

(1)For those aged 65 and older (first insured person)

(2)For those aged 40 to 64 (second insured person)

About the insurance card and insurance premiums, please ask "Insurance and Pension Section (Hoken-nenkin-ka)" at your Ward Office.

*Beneficiaries are the following;

(1) For those aged 65 and older (first insured person)

People who need long-term care for daily activities such as bathing and eating because of bedriddenor dementia　

People who need support for daily life to do the housework.

(2) For those aged 40 to 64(second insured person)

People who need long-term care and support because of specific age-related diseases such as early-stage dementia, cerebral vascular disorder.

About recognition of the need of care or assistance, and use of service;

Please contact of your Ward Office.