NHIS to Accept New Welfare Equipment Product Benefit Applications from 14th to 18th Next Month

The National Health Insurance Service announced on the 24th that it will accept applications for new welfare equipment benefit decisions from companies supporting the daily living and physical activities of elderly people with reduced mental and physical functions from the 14th to the 18th of next month.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Applicants must submit samples of new items in addition to the existing 18 welfare equipment items. The existing welfare equipment includes portable commodes, bath chairs, adult walkers, safety handles, anti-slip products, simple commodes, canes, pressure ulcer prevention cushions, posture change devices, incontinence panties, manual wheelchairs, electric beds, manual beds, portable bathtubs, bath lifts, GPS-type and mat-type wandering detectors, pressure ulcer prevention mattresses, and indoor/outdoor ramps.

As of the application date, applicants must also submit domestic distribution performance of 200 units or more, or 50 million KRW or more for the relevant products within the past year. However, a NHIS official stated, “If the product is an elderly-friendly excellent product, instead of domestic distribution performance, only the manufacturing or import performance of 200 units or more, or 50 million KRW or more within the past year must be submitted.”

The NHIS will conduct item and product reviews, price negotiations, and other procedures for applications that pass the document screening, and notify the results individually after deliberation by the Welfare Equipment Benefit Evaluation Committee.

Once the benefit is finally decided, new product benefit decision applications can be made after the announcement by the Minister of Health and Welfare. Products can be sold or rented through welfare equipment business offices. An NHIS official said, “We expect that applying for new benefit decisions will serve as an opportunity to diversify and expand the usability of welfare equipment benefit products, actively supporting the safe home life of long-term care recipients.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.