Nantong’s pioneering efforts in the long-term care insurance program serve as a role model nationally, said Wand Dongjin, president of China Health Insurance Research Association.

Wang made the comment at a symposium hosted by the Jiangsu Health Insurance Research Association to mark the fifth anniversary of Nantong's pilot program on October 10.

Currently, China has five social insurance programs: elderly care, health care, unemployment, work injury and maternity. They are run by the government and premiums are paid by the individual and the employer on a compulsory basis. Long-term care insurance is expected to become the sixth. Those who have a difficult time living independently due to age, illness and disability can become recipients of the new program.

In September 2015, Nantong became one of the pilot cities to implement long-term care insurance. The home-based scheme integrates community resources and professional agencies to provide services for basic and medical care for people with long-term disabilities.

After five years, the city has built a fully-fledged system with the participation of about 7.2 million insured residents. Nantong’s five-pronged operation in this program is also recognized as a trailblazing solution.

So far, 25,727 insured residents are entitled to the services, of which 21,640 are at home-based, 3,296 are in nursing homes, and 791 are in elderly care centers. The long-term care insurance program has proved to be a great help to those who have a difficult time living independently.

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