A study on the living and health status of the elderly who fail to pay premiums of the long-term care insurance in Japan
METHODS: A mail-in survey using questionnaire to all 1750 local governments in Japan.
RESULTS: The number of effective replies was 567(The response rate: 32.4%). The government staff in charge of LTCI conveyed that the elderly in the nonpayment category are restricted to medical service for economic reason, and in poor health status, when initial care-need certification.
Also, it was suggested that their risks of restriction on LTCI benefits for economic reason and receipt a livelihood protection were higher than those of the elderly in the payment category. These facts are influenced in proportion to the population and wealth of the local governments.
CONCLUSIONS: The elderly in the nonpayment category were affected by economic inequality in Japan. The results indicated an association between economic inequality and health. Because of economic inequality, people in the lower economic class would face various health risks.