Dementia care primary doctor (치매관리주치의) pilot expands to 92 cities, counties and districts — 417 participating doctors
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From August 3, 2026, the dementia care primary doctor (치매관리주치의) pilot program expands from 42 cities, counties and districts (시군구) to 92, and participating doctors increase from 315 to 417.
Key facts
| Expansion effective date | August 3, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Coverage area | 42 cities, counties and districts (시군구) → 92 cities, counties and districts |
| Participating doctors | 315 → 417 (the 2nd open call (2차 공모) additionally selected 102 doctors and 79 medical institutions) |
| Services provided | A customized treatment and management plan drawn up 1 time a year; face-to-face education and counseling of at least 10 minutes per session, up to 8 times a year |
| Non-face-to-face and home visit care | Non-face-to-face care by phone or video call up to 12 times a year; home visits up to 4 times a year for patients with limited mobility |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Health and Welfare, Senior Health Division (044-202-3538) |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that from August 3, 2026 it will expand the dementia care primary doctor (치매관리주치의) pilot program to 92 cities, counties and districts (시군구) and increase the number of participating doctors to 417. In phase 1, 250 medical institutions and 315 doctors in 42 cities, counties and districts nationwide took part, and the 2nd open call (2차 공모) selected an additional 102 doctors and 79 medical institutions. A dementia care primary doctor comprehensively assesses a patient's health status, then draws up a customized treatment and management plan 1 time a year, and provides face-to-face education and counseling to dementia patients and their caregivers for at least 10 minutes per session, up to 8 times a year.
Background — why this change
The dementia care primary doctor pilot program, which began in July 2024, provides medical services so that dementia patients can keep living in their communities while receiving customized treatment and health management from a primary doctor. As of June 2026, 7,044 dementia patients were receiving care through a dementia care primary doctor. The Ministry of Health and Welfare recruited institutions nationwide for the 2nd round of the pilot program from July 3 to 19, 2026.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Where is the dementia care primary doctor pilot program available?
From August 3, 2026 it is expanded to 92 cities, counties and districts (시군구) nationwide, with 417 participating doctors.
What services does a dementia care primary doctor provide?
After comprehensively assessing the patient's health status, the doctor draws up a customized treatment and management plan 1 time a year and provides face-to-face education and counseling of at least 10 minutes per session up to 8 times a year, plus non-face-to-face care up to 12 times a year. For patients with limited mobility, home visits are provided up to 4 times a year.