In Hanzhong, the challenge of population aging is becoming increasingly severe. Data from the seventh national census shows that residents aged 60 and above account for 24.31% of the total population, while those aged 65 and above reach 17.71%, far exceeding the national average. Hanzhong is one of the most aged cities in Shaanxi Province. The combination of “aging before getting rich” and “aging before being prepared” has made traditional family-based care for incapacitated elders unsustainable. The reality of “one person incapacitated, the whole family unbalanced” has become common for many families in Hanzhong.
National Trend and Policy Support
Hanzhong’s situation is not unique. Nationally, about 45 million elderly with disability or cognitive impairment require long-term care. The government work report has emphasized the need to “accelerate the establishment of a long-term care insurance system” for five consecutive years, highlighting its importance in improving the social security system. With strong policy support, the Hanzhong municipal government has actively included long-term care insurance (LTCI) pilots in its “Health and Elder Care in Hanzhong” city brand strategy. Hanzhong has become the only LTCI pilot city in Shaanxi. Shouldering the primary underwriting responsibility, China Life Hanzhong Branch has launched an innovative and people-centered exploration under the guidance and support of the government and medical insurance authorities.
Building a Localized LTCI Model
The pilot is not about copying but innovating based on local conditions. China Life has deeply integrated its resources and local expertise, leveraging its strengths in organization, personnel, and technology. The company established the Hanzhong Long-Term Care Insurance Service Center, assembled a 31-member professional team with expertise in nursing, rehabilitation, and insurance, and developed the “Hanzhong Smart LTC System.” This has led to a distinctive LTCI management system characterized by warmth, standardization, and technological integration. By developing the “three-multiple-one-driven” Hanzhong model, the service now covers over 400,000 employees across the city.
Diversified Funding: Solving the Financial Challenge
A single funding source is a key constraint on LTCI development. Currently, many pilot cities rely heavily on transfers from medical insurance funds, with low individual contribution rates. This model places excessive pressure on medical insurance funds, which already face significant payment challenges due to aging. Hanzhong’s government and medical insurance bureau conducted extensive research and proposed an innovative diversified funding model to reduce reliance on medical insurance funds. They adopted a three-party sharing model: individuals contribute 50 yuan annually from their personal accounts, medical insurance funds transfer 30 yuan, and the government provides a 20 yuan subsidy. This structural design disperses financial risk and ensures the system’s sustainability.
Diversified Care: Expanding Care Options
In the home of 103-year-old Mr. Xu in Chenggu County, a caregiver is giving him a bath. Opting for a “home-based self-care plus home visit” model, the elderly man receives six professional home visits from designated institutions each month and a 480-yuan subsidy to support family care. “This model accounts for 55% of benefit recipients,” said a China Life staff member, “It preserves family warmth while introducing professional support.”
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