What Are the Four Long-Term Care "Packs"? A Look at Benefits and Copayments for Care and Professional Services, Transportation, Assistive Devices, and Respite Care
The "four packs" are a colloquial term for the four major benefit items under Long-Term Care 2.0/3.0, referring to four types of government subsidies for home- and community-based long-term care services: ① Care and professional services, ② Transportation, ③ Assistive devices and home accessibility improvements, and ④ Respite care. After assessment via the 1966 hotline and the Long-Term Care Management Center, and determination of disability level (CMS levels 1–8) by a care manager, different benefit amounts are allocated based on the level, and individuals pay a certain proportion (copayment) according to their economic status. Note: The four packs apply to "home- and community-based" services; monthly fees for residential institutions are out-of-pocket and not covered. The following summarizes the coverage, benefit amounts, copayments, and common misconceptions. This is a neutral compilation of information, not official; actual benefits and eligibility are subject to the latest announcements from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments.
What are the four long-term care "packs"? What does each cover?
The "four packs" are the four major benefit items established under Long-Term Care 2.0 and continued into 3.0. After assessment and approval, they can be used in combination:
- Care and professional services: home care, day care, family foster care, and professional services such as physical/occupational/speech therapy, nursing, nutrition, psychology, and social work
- Transportation services: subsidies for transportation to medical appointments and rehabilitation for disabled individuals (limited to level 4 and above)
- Assistive devices and home accessibility improvements: purchase or rental of assistive devices, home accessibility modifications
- Respite care: short-term relief for family caregivers, including home-based, institutional, day care, neighborhood, and small-scale multifunctional respite
What are the benefit amounts for each pack? (Based on disability levels CMS 2–8)
The amounts are determined by the care manager based on the Care Management Assessment Scale (CMS); the higher the level, the higher the amount. The following are based on Long-Term Care 2.0/2025 benchmarks and may be adjusted annually:
- Care and professional services (monthly cap): Level 2: approximately NT$10,020; Level 3: NT$15,460; Level 4: NT$18,580; Level 5: NT$24,100; Level 6: NT$28,070; Level 7: NT$32,090; Level 8: NT$36,180
- Transportation (monthly cap): approximately NT$1,680–2,400 depending on geographic area (higher in remote/offshore islands)
- Assistive devices and home accessibility: cap of NT$40,000 every 3 years (starting July 2026, smart assistive technology devices may be fully rented, with an alternative cap of NT$60,000 every 3 years, mutually exclusive with traditional devices)
- Respite care (annual cap): approximately NT$32,340 for levels 2–6, and NT$48,510 for levels 7–8; this annual amount can be shared across various types of respite (based on level, not type)
How much do I have to pay out-of-pocket? Copayment rates
The benefit amount is the government's payment cap; individuals pay a certain proportion based on their economic status. The three categories are low-income households, low-middle income households, and general households:
- Care and professional services, respite care: general households pay 16%, low-middle income households 5%, low-income households 0%
- Transportation: general households approximately 27% (remote areas 21%), low-middle income households approximately 9% (remote areas 7%), low-income households 0% (varies by geographic area)
- Assistive devices and home accessibility: general households 30%, low-middle income households 10%, low-income households 0%
- Note: Actual payment = approved service amount × copayment rate; if usage exceeds the approved cap, the excess must be paid in full out-of-pocket
How is the disability level (CMS 1–8) determined? Relationship with the Barthel Index
Long-term care needs are assessed using the Care Management Assessment Scale (CMS), which classifies levels 1–8, with level 1 indicating no disability:
- Benefits for care and professional services start from level 2; level 1 is not eligible; the higher the level, the higher the benefit amount
- CMS is used by the long-term care system; the Barthel Index is commonly used for medical assessments when applying for foreign domestic caregivers; the two have different purposes
- Exemptions from the Barthel Index for foreign caregivers have been relaxed: since October 13, 2023, multiple criteria apply (e.g., three categories exempt, including continuous use of long-term care services for over 6 months); since August 1, 2025, individuals aged 80 and above, or aged 70–79 with stage II or higher cancer, are exempt from medical assessment when hiring foreign caregivers
How to apply? Differences between the four packs, institutional monthly fees, and the NT$120,000 subsidy
Application and three commonly confused systems must be clearly distinguished:
- Application: Call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "1966" long-term care hotline (first 5 minutes free), or contact the Long-Term Care Management Center in your household registration or residence area. A care manager will visit to assess and develop a care plan; hospital discharge planning can also facilitate the transition.
- Four packs ≠ residential institution monthly fees: The four packs are for home- and community-based services; room, board, and care fees for residential institutions (nursing/long-term care type) are out-of-pocket and not covered.
- Four packs ≠ "Subsidy for Users of Residential Service Institutions": The latter is a separate program with an annual cap of NT$120,000 per person, requiring CMS level 4 or above and a stay of at least 180 days in the current year (means testing has been removed).
- Also refer to this site's pages on "Long-Term Care Subsidies (Long-Term Care 3.0)," "Respite and Caregiver Support," and "Home and Community Care."
FAQ
What are the four long-term care "packs"? What do they include?
The "four packs" are a colloquial term for the four major benefits under Long-Term Care 2.0/3.0: ① Care and professional services (home care, day care, family foster care, and professional services), ② Transportation, ③ Assistive devices and home accessibility improvements, and ④ Respite care. After assessment via the 1966 hotline and the Long-Term Care Management Center, and determination of disability level (CMS), benefits are allocated based on the level, and individuals pay a portion according to their economic status. Actual content is subject to the latest announcements from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
What are the approximate benefit amounts for the four long-term care packs?
Benefits are determined based on disability level (CMS levels 2–8); the higher the level, the greater the amount (based on Long-Term Care 2.0/2025 benchmarks, subject to change): Care and professional services: monthly cap approximately NT$10,020–36,180; Transportation: monthly cap approximately NT$1,680–2,400 (higher in remote/offshore islands); Assistive devices and home accessibility: cap of NT$40,000 every 3 years; Respite care: annual cap approximately NT$32,340 for levels 2–6, and NT$48,510 for levels 7–8.
How much do I have to pay out-of-pocket for long-term care services?
The benefit amount is the government's payment cap; individuals pay a copayment based on their economic status. For care and professional services and respite care: general households pay 16%, low-middle income households 5%, low-income households 0%; for transportation and assistive devices, the rates differ (transportation: approximately 27%/9%/0%; assistive devices: 30%/10%/0%). Amounts exceeding the approved cap must be paid in full out-of-pocket. Actual rates are subject to official announcements.
Is the long-term care disability level (CMS) the same as the Barthel Index?
No. Long-term care needs are assessed using the "Care Management Assessment Scale (CMS)," which classifies levels 1–8, with benefits for care and professional services starting from level 2. The "Barthel Index" is commonly used for medical assessments when applying for foreign domestic caregivers. Exemptions from the Barthel Index for foreign caregivers have been relaxed: since October 13, 2023, multiple criteria apply (e.g., three categories exempt, including continuous use of long-term care services for over 6 months); since August 1, 2025, individuals aged 80 and above, or aged 70–79 with stage II or higher cancer, are exempt from medical assessment when hiring foreign caregivers.
Can the four packs be used to pay monthly fees for residential institutions (nursing/long-term care type)?
No. The four packs are benefits for home- and community-based services; room, board, and care fees for residential institutions are out-of-pocket and not covered. There is a separate program called "Subsidy for Users of Residential Service Institutions" with an annual cap of NT$120,000 per person, requiring CMS level 4 or above and a stay of at least 180 days in the current year. This is a different system from the four packs and should not be confused.
How do I apply for the four long-term care packs?
Call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "1966" long-term care hotline (first 5 minutes free), or contact the Long-Term Care Management Center in your household registration or residence area to submit an application. After acceptance, a care manager will visit to assess the disability level and needs, develop a care plan, and connect you with the four packs services. For hospitalized elderly, discharge planning services at the hospital can also facilitate the transition to long-term care. This page is a neutral compilation of information; actual eligibility and benefits are subject to announcements from the competent authorities.
· 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.