Purpose: This study examined the characteristics and service utilization of home nursing care beneficiaries under
the Korean Long?Term Care Insurance (LTCI). Methods: We used assessment data and claim data of National
Health Insurance Corporation from July to August 2008. Data were composed of subjects who were the
beneficiaries of home nursing care. Results: A total of 634 subjects were analyzed. Of the subjects, 57.1%
were 75 years and over. The average score of nursing care need was only 0.71 and the percentage of those
whose nursing care need score was zero was 58.0%. More than half of the subjects had partially dependent
musculoskeletal conditions, and 75.5% had two or more comorbidities. A third of them usedonly home nursing
care, and another third used both home nursing care and general home care at the same time. Those who needed
sore care used the largest home nursing care benefits. Conclusion: Home nursing care of LTCI performs
community?based healthcare services under LTCI. Throughout the past two years, however, it has not been
active. Understanding the characteristics of its users is important in order to develop effective strategies for
activating home nursing care.