The new state-run, nursing-care insurance system for the elderly that takes effect April 1 will begin with simplified "care plans" because the full-fledged programs are not ready, Health and Welfare Ministry officials said Tuesday.
The ministry has instructed municipal governments to first use a simplified calculation system for service costs, due to delays in finalizing the nursing-care program, the officials said.
The simple plans will be introduced to enable the new insurance system to begin "smoothly" and on schedule, ministry officials said.