How is the Long-Term Care Need Level (Disability Level) Assessed? CMS Levels 1–8, Care Manager Evaluation, and 1966 Application at a Glance

Long-term care services are not available to everyone—they require an assessment to determine the 'Long-Term Care Need Level' (CMS). After calling the long-term care hotline 1966 to apply, a care manager will visit your home and use the 'Care Management Assessment Scale' to evaluate activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), cognition, environment, etc., and assign a level from 1 to 8 (higher number indicates greater disability). Only those at level 2 and above are eligible for long-term care benefits, and the level also determines the subsidy amount for various services. The following is a neutral summary of the assessment process, level meanings, and next steps, for informational purposes only and not medical or legal advice.

What is the 'Long-Term Care Need Level' (CMS)?

It is the ticket to long-term care services, determining whether you can receive services and how much:

The Long-Term Care Need Level (CMS) ranges from level 1 to level 8, with higher numbers indicating greater disability and care needs.
Only those at level 2 and above are eligible for long-term care benefits (level 1 is not covered); the level also determines the subsidy amount for the 'four long-term care packages' of services.
It assesses 'care needs and disability level' and is the basis for determining services and subsidies, not a disease diagnosis.

How to apply for an assessment? Call 1966, care manager visits home

The process starts with a phone call, followed by an in-home assessment by a professional:

Call the long-term care service hotline 1966 (or apply to the local long-term care management center).
A care manager (or assessor) visits your home and conducts an on-site assessment using the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Care Management Assessment Scale'.
After the assessment, the long-term care need level and available service额度 are determined, and a care plan is developed and services are connected.

What is assessed? ADLs, IADLs, and other dimensions

The scale assesses actual daily living self-care and support status, covering six major dimensions:

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs, 10 items): eating, bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, bowel and bladder control, toileting, transferring, walking, climbing stairs.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs, 8 items): using the phone, shopping, meal preparation, housework, laundry, going out, medication management, financial management.
Also includes communication ability, special complex care needs, cognitive function and emotional behavior, home environment, and family social support. These dimensions are combined to determine the level.

After the level is determined? Connecting to the four long-term care packages

Once the level is determined, you can use long-term care services according to the allocated amount:

The 'four long-term care packages' = care and professional services, transportation, assistive devices and home accessibility improvements, and respite services; the higher the level, the higher the amount typically.
The care manager will help develop a care plan and match resources such as home care or day care services. Our pages on 'Long-Term Care Subsidies', 'Assistive Device Subsidies', and 'Respite Services' can be cross-referenced.
If considering hiring a foreign home care worker, there are separate eligibility criteria (some are exempt from the new Barthel Index rules). Our pages on 'Foreign Caregiver or Institution' and 'Barthel Index' provide summaries.

Common questions and neutral reminders

Several practical points often asked:

Not being assessed at level 2 or above does not mean you cannot use any resources—you can still contact the long-term care management center to learn about other social welfare or self-pay options.
If your physical condition changes, you can request a reassessment, and the level and care plan will be adjusted accordingly.
In summary: first call 1966 to apply for an assessment, the care manager determines the CMS level, then use the four long-term care packages according to the allocated amount. Actual level determination and amounts are subject to the long-term care management center and the latest regulations from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This page provides neutral information and is not medical or legal advice.

FAQ

How is the Long-Term Care Need Level (Disability Level) assessed? Does it cost money?

After calling the long-term care service hotline 1966 or applying to the local long-term care management center, a care manager will visit your home and use the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Care Management Assessment Scale' to evaluate ADLs, IADLs, cognition, environment, etc., and assign a level from 1 to 8. The assessment itself is provided by the government and is free of charge. The actual process and level determination are subject to the long-term care management center and the latest regulations. This page provides neutral information and is not medical or legal advice.

How many levels are there in long-term care? What level is required to receive subsidies?

Long-term care need levels range from level 1 to level 8, with higher numbers indicating greater disability and care needs. Only those at level 2 and above are eligible for long-term care benefits (level 1 is not covered). The level also determines the subsidy amount for the 'four long-term care packages' of services. The level is determined by the care manager based on the assessment scale.

What items are assessed?

The assessment mainly looks at activities of daily living (ADLs, 10 items: eating, bathing, toileting, transferring, walking, climbing stairs, etc.) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs, 8 items: using the phone, shopping, meal preparation, housework, medication management, financial management, etc.), as well as communication ability, special complex care needs, cognition and emotional behavior, home environment, and family support. These dimensions are combined to determine the long-term care need level.

Where do I apply for a long-term care assessment? Who do I contact?

Call the long-term care service hotline 1966, or contact the local long-term care management center to apply for long-term care services. After the application is received, a care manager will visit your home to conduct an on-site assessment using the evaluation scale, determine the level, and help develop a care plan and connect you with resources such as home care or day care services.

Can the assessed level be changed later?

Yes. If there is a significant change in the elderly person's physical condition or disability status, you can request a reassessment from the long-term care management center. The long-term care need level and care plan will be adjusted according to the latest situation. It is recommended to proactively contact the care manager when the condition changes (e.g., after hospitalization, increased disability due to a fall).

Is the long-term care level related to applying for a foreign caregiver?

These are two different systems. The long-term care need level (CMS) determines Long-Term Care 2.0 services and subsidies; hiring a foreign home care worker has its own eligibility criteria (in recent years, some groups are exempt from the Barthel Index, such as those aged 80 and above). Both may apply, so it is recommended to inquire with the long-term care management center. Our pages on 'Foreign Caregiver or Institution' and 'Barthel Index' provide summaries.

Updated: 2026-07-17 · This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only, not medical, legal, tax, or admission advice. For actual regulations and services, please refer to official announcements from competent authorities and the institutions themselves.