Health insurance pilot for specialized long-term care hospitals for ALS patients to begin in November — four specialized services
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
A National Health Insurance pilot program for specialized long-term care hospitals for patients with severe muscular rare diseases such as ALS is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
Key facts
| Who it covers | Patients with severe muscular rare diseases such as ALS |
|---|---|
| Start date | Pilot program planned to begin in November 2026 |
| Four specialized services | Patient-tailored specialized medical services, short-term bed services, emergency response services, community linkage services |
| Also reported | Plan for subordinate regulations following the National Health Insurance Act amendment (due to take effect next January), and the direction of preparations for the full sickness allowance program |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Health and Welfare, Health Insurance Policy Division 044-202-2704 |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) reported a plan to promote a National Health Insurance pilot program for specialized long-term care hospitals for severe muscular rare diseases (such as ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease) at the 17th National Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee meeting of 2026. Four specialized services will be prepared and operated: patient-tailored specialized medical services, short-term bed services, emergency response services and community linkage services. The pilot is scheduled to begin in November. The same meeting also reported the plan for subordinate regulations to the National Health Insurance Act amendment due to take effect next January, and the direction of preparations for the full sickness allowance program.
Background — why this change
The Ministry of Health and Welfare explained that as severe muscular rare diseases progress, patients often come to depend on ventilators, tracheostomies and tube feeding, and need continuous medical management as well as rehabilitation and long-term care services. The pilot is being pursued because an appropriate reimbursement system is needed that takes into account the staff and resources actually used.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
When will the pilot program start?
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it plans to begin the pilot program in November.
What services will be provided?
Four specialized services will be operated: patient-tailored specialized medical services, short-term bed services, emergency response services and community linkage services.