For elderly individuals at home who are bedridden or severely disabled, apply to the local yibao (basic medical insurance) office for long-term care insurance; it is not limited to seniors only.

7. For elderly individuals at home who are bedridden or severely disabled, apply to the local yibao (basic medical insurance) office for long-term care insurance; it is not limited to seniors only.

Cost: You only need to visit the local yibao office once to submit an application and undergo a disability assessment. If you pass the assessment on the first try, the evaluation fee is covered by the insurance fund — no out-of-pocket expense is required.

In plain terms: Long-term care insurance helps cover the cost of hiring caregivers. Those who are severely disabled and have remained in that condition for at least six months may apply to their local yibao office. Eligible care expenses do not need to be paid upfront; roughly 70% is reimbursed for employees covered under the worker policy, while about 50% is reimbursed for residents enrolled in the urban/rural resident policy. However, costs such as room charges and meals are not covered. Though often mistaken for a senior-specific program, official documents refer to “insured persons” without any age restriction — even younger individuals with severe disabilities may apply.

Benefit: There is no deductible threshold for approved long-term care services; you do not need to pay a set amount out-of-pocket before reimbursement begins. Approximately 70% of eligible costs are reimbursed for workers, and about 50% for urban/rural residents. The maximum annual payout cannot exceed 50% of the local average per-capita disposable income for residents in that region.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: National Healthcare Security Administration of China and other eight departments (2026). Notice on the issuance of the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Establishment of a Long-term Care Insurance System". <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202603/content_7063915.htm>: The protection object is "insured and paid according to regulations and the disability continues for a long time (generally more than 6 months)" , "Disabled persons who have passed the assessment upon application", "Severely disabled persons are protected in the initial stage of the system"; "There is no minimum payment standard for long-term care services that meet the regulations. If insured according to the insurance policy for unemployed urban and rural residents, the fund payment ratio is about 50%; for those insured according to the unit employee insurance policy, the fund payment ratio is about 70%, and retirees enjoy the insurance benefits for unit employees"; "The annual maximum payment limit of the insured person's fund shall not exceed 50% of the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents in the coordinated area in the previous year"; "The fixed waiting period for benefits is set at 6 months in principle"; See also the "Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of the Long-term Care Insurance System" by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council of China. <https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2026/issue_12666/202604/content_7065119.html>

Notes: Disability must be “long-term and continuous” — generally lasting six months or more; a few weeks of hospitalization does not qualify. A six-month waiting period applies before benefits can be claimed. Expenses unrelated to care, such as room fees or meals, are not covered by this insurance. Medical costs normally paid by yibao are also excluded. Individuals already receiving work-related injury care benefits cannot claim both simultaneously. This insurance is separate from disability-related subsidies; they follow different application procedures and provide distinct financial aid, as detailed in Section 7, Article 8. Care received at home or in community settings receives preferential reimbursement rates; institutionalization is not mandatory. Implementation varies by region, and assessment criteria differ locally. Contact 12393 or your local yibao office to confirm whether the program is active in your area and how to schedule an evaluation. Even if an initial assessment fails, reapplication is possible once disability worsens.