Evaluation Indicators in the Municipality Long-Term Care Insurance Plan

: Present Status of Their Utilization in the Municipalities in Japan

Abstract

Evaluation in the municipality long-term care insurance plan （MLTCIP） has entered a new phase as its implementation was made obligatory with the revision of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act. This study aims to investigate, taking these circumstances into consideration, the present status of the utilization of evaluation indicators in the MLTCIPs in the municipalities in the urban areas （cities and special wards） in Japan, and the challenges facing the municipalities in their utilization based on the case studies of planning documents and the questionnaire surveys of these municipalities. The main findings of these investigations were as follows. First, the utilization of outcome indicators has progressed steadily, but some confusions and feelings of puzzlement were found in the considerable number of municipalities. Second, a substantial number of municipalities have made efforts to place outcome indicators appropriately in their distinctive system of programs in the MLTCIP. Third, emphasis on the performance evaluation of the MLTCIP in the municipalities has not resulted in the change in the nature of the MLTICIP as a needs-based social welfare plan.