Who can use the Long-Term Care System?

Category 1 insured people who need continuous assistance with everyday activities due to being bedridden or suffering from dementia and/or similar circumstances.

Category 2 insured people who need nursing care or support because you suffer from any of the 15 diseases specified by the Long-Term Care Insurance Law.

How to receive assistance

Category 1 insured people will have an insurance card delivered to them on their 65th birthday.

Category 2 insured people will be handed an insurance card when applying for long-term care approval.

Applications for use of the care services have to be submitted for screening. The process includes a medical examination and an interview. Successful applicants are categorized into 6 levels, set according to the applicant's needs; Pre Care Level (yoshien), then Care levels 1 to 5, with level 1 being for those with minor care needs through to level 5 for those whose needs are more severe. Those individuals who do not meet required conditions are thus considered to be able to support themselves; in this case approval is not given and such individuals may not receive care.

Cost of service

• 10% of the cost of services provided must be paid by the user. 

• In the case of residence at a facility, recipients must pay a standard charge to cover food costs.

•  90% of the total cost of welfare-instruments ( i.e. Wheelchairs etc) or home renovation expenses will be refunded afterwards.

Limited Payment System

A limit on service costs (10 % of the real cost) will be fixed to lessen the burden on the user. Payments shall not exceed 37,200 yen per month, however expenses incurred to purchase welfare devices or a home-reform cost, and meals at facilities are excluded. For people with low income that are receiving welfare or old age pensions have a lower upper limit and the cost of facility meals is reduced.

Services available: You can either select Facility-based care services or Home-based care services; additionally there are "other services". In this case, the user must pay the full fee for "other services" in cash. (For example, in the case payment exceeds 100,000 yen, the user may receive 90,000 yen back. Or in the case payment exceeds 200,000 yen, the user may receive 180,000 yen back.) According to the care level appointed to an individual, that individual must pay 10% of the cost of services provided.