보건복지부 영문홈페이지

We prosper together Innovative, Inclusive Nation Inclusive welfare for 2.5 years (Health)

For the past two and a half years, the government has worked to lay the foundation for an innovative, inclusive nation. To move toward a world in which everyone prospers together, the government has expanded National Health Insurance coverage to reduce medical burden of the public. Let’s take a closer look.

Measure to Expand National Health Insurance Coverage To build a reliable nation without worries over medical expenses, measures to expand National Health Insurance coverage have been in place since August 2017. As a result, medical expenses decreased by KRW 2.2 trillion from last year to April 2019, reducing the medical burden of citizens.

Measure to Expand National Health Insurance Coverage Huge reduction in medical expenses To practically reduce the burden of medical expenses, the expenses born by patients with severe diseases decreased by 1/4 to 1/2, the Selective Medical Treatment System got abolished, and the National Health Insurance now covers two- and three-person rooms at tertiary hospitals and general hospitals. The integrated nursing and care service was also broadened to allow patients to have treatment without caregivers.

Measure to Expand National Health Insurance Coverage Needs-based Health Insurance Benefits ① To ensure healthy life after retirement of the elderly, out-of-pocket payment for dentures and implants were lowered for those aged 65 or older. Out-of-pocket payment of patients with severe dementia also decreased to less than 10% of the expenses, while dementia checkups are now covered by the National Health Insurance. Co-pay for denture/implant 50%→30% Co-pay for patients with severe dementia Hospitalization 20%→10% Outpatients 30~60%

Measure to Expand National Health Insurance Coverage Needs-based Health Insurance Benefits ② To provide health insurance benefits tailored to children and women, out-of-pocket payment decreased for children’s hospitalization and cavity treatment. With the abolition of the age limit for fertility support, the number of supported fertility procedures increased. Children Co-pay for hospitalization, cavity treatment 10%→5% Women Co-pay for fertility treatment Age limit: 45 years of age→No limit Number of supported procedures: 10→17

Measure to Expand National Health Insurance Coverage Reduced Medical Expenses of Low-Income Earners To ease the burden of excessive medical expenses compared to income, eligibility for support on catastrophic medical expenses, which had been available only for patients with four severe diseases (cancer, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and rare/incurable diseases), was extended to patients with all diseases in the bottom 50% income bracket. Up to KRW 30 million is provided depending on income for hospitalization and high outpatient treatment expenses (chemotherapy, rare/incurable diseases, etc.). Eligibility for support on catastrophic medical expenses Patients with four severe diseases ↓ Patients with all diseases in bottom 50% income bracket

Measure to Expand National Health Insurance Coverage Reduced Medical Expenses of Low-Income Earners To ease the burden of excessive medical expenses compared to income, eligibility for support on catastrophic medical expenses, which had been available only for patients with four severe diseases (cancer, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and rare/incurable diseases), was extended to patients with all diseases in the bottom 50% income bracket. Up to KRW 30 million is provided depending on income for hospitalization and high outpatient treatment expenses (chemotherapy, rare/incurable diseases, etc.). Eligibility for support on catastrophic medical expenses Patients with four severe diseases ↓ Patients with all diseases in bottom 50% income bracket

We cannot achieve inclusiveness overnight. Instead of complacency about today’s achievements and changes, the government will remain determined to addressing extreme polarization and inequality and to making our society warmer and safer. Innovative, Inclusive Nation