Apply locally for long-term care insurance after persistent severe loss of independence; eligibility is not limited to older people
China's long-term care insurance helps fund care for people with persistent severe disability, generally lasting over six months. Covered care has no deductible; employee-policy coverage is about 70% and nonemployed resident-policy coverage about 50%. Bed and meal charges are excluded. There is no age cutoff: younger people with severe loss of independence can also qualify.
What it takes
Apply to the Chinese insurance authority where enrolled and undergo a functional-disability assessment. If the first assessment qualifies, the fund pays the assessment fee.
What you may gain
Eligible long-term nursing/care services have no deductible—the amount otherwise paid before reimbursement starts. Fund payment is around 70% under employee participation and 50% under nonemployed urban/rural resident participation. The annual maximum is no more than 50% of the locality's previous-year per-capita disposable income for urban/rural residents.
Context & considerations
A few hospital weeks do not meet the general six-month persistence criterion, and a six-month benefit waiting period also applies. Bed, meal and medical-insurance-payable treatment costs are excluded. Existing occupational-injury daily-care benefits are not duplicated. Disability care subsidies are a separate application and payment that the source says can coexist; see Chapter 7, entry 8. Home/community care receives favorable payment treatment, so an institution is not always necessary. Local rollout and assessment standards differ. Call China's 12393 or the local insurer to check implementation and assessment appointments. If refused, reapply if functional loss worsens.
Research & references
China's National Healthcare Security Administration and seven other departments (2026). Implementation Plan for Accelerating Establishment of Long-Term Care Insurance. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202603/content_7063915.htm. Coverage requires prescribed enrollment/contributions, persistent disability generally over 6 months, application and qualifying assessment; initial implementation covers severe disability. No deductible applies; employee-policy participation, including retirees, receives about 70%, and nonemployed resident-policy participation about 50%. The annual cap is 50% of prior-year local per-capita disposable income, and the fixed waiting period is generally 6 months. See also the CPC Central Committee and State Council General Offices' Opinion on Establishing Long-Term Care Insurance. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2026/issue_12666/202604/content_7065119.html