Chongqing- Chongqing will fully implement a long-term care insurance system for its eight million employees with medical insurance, according to a press conference held on Wednesday.

As for an aging society, the steady establishment of a long-term care insurance system serves as a major institutional arrangement for Chongqing to solve the issue of the aging population and improve the social security system.

A long-term care insurance system provides services or financial protection for the basic living care and closely related medical care of the long-term disabled people, including disabled elderly and severely disabled individuals.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, Chongqing launched long-term care insurance pilot projects in four districts and counties. As of the end of last year, a total of 750,000 people in the four pilot areas had engaged in the insurance system.

According to the 14th Five-Year Plan for Medical Security in Chongqing (2021-2025), Chongqing will further meet the needs of Chongqing's economic and social development, adapting to the trend of aging development and implementing the long-term care insurance system.

Zhong Shujie, a member of the party group and deputy director of the Chongqing Medical Insurance Bureau, said that some of the disabled may live at elderly care institutions and nursing institutions, some may be provided with elderly care services in the community, and some may live at home with home care, based on available data.

"All three conditions grant long-term care treatment," said Zhong.

Chongqing will adapt to aging development and implement the long-term care insurance system for the disabled. (Photo/ Xinhua)

So far, the city's employer and the individual jointly bear the long-term care insurance system in the same proportion.

The company's medical insurance will cover its portion without increasing its payment standard during the pilot period, alleviating burdens on the employer. The part borne by the individual shall be withheld and paid from the personal account of the employee's medical insurance.

According to the policy during the pilot period, those who have participated in the payment of employee medical insurance for more than 24 months can apply for long-term care benefits.

"These people can apply if they are still disabled for six months after being treated by a medical institution or a rehabilitation institution," said Zhong. "After an evaluation, those who meet the conditions of disability can enjoy long-term care benefits."

Zhong added that applying for long-term care benefits can be proceeded through downloading the application of "Chongqing Medical Insurance."

Next, Chongqing will optimize its financing structure of the long-term care insurance system, further improve the guarantee methods and projects, and explore the inclusion of residents in the long-term care insurance category.

A screenshot of the "Chongqing Medical Insurance" APP. (iChongqing/ Vivian Yan)