Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Major changes in healthcare benefits in 2019
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Starting this year, there are some major changes in government's medical policies that will greatly benefit the public.
In line with the government's efforts to strengthen health insurance coverage, more illnesses and checkups will be included under the medical insurance as well as deductions on wide array of treatments.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is also scheduled to come out with a series of more policies to better tackle the country's low birthrate by providing more government subsidies for childbirth procedures and community care.
Reduction in medical cost for infants and expectant mothers
Pregnant women and babies less than one year old are getting more insurance coverage.
Parents or guardians of such babies under 12 months used to pay 21 to 42 percent of the medical bills for outpatient treatments. Starting this year, they only need to pay 5 percent to 20 percent of the cost.
The government also provides an additional 100,000 won ($88) for childbirth and pregnancy medical inspections, to 600,000 won for a baby and 1 million won for twins. The parents can use the subsidy until one year after childbirth, an extension from the previous 60 days.
More coverage for ultrasound, MRIs
In the past, ultrasound examinations cost a hefty penny for an average household due to their high fees as insurance coverage was limited to cancer, heart and cerebrovascular diseases and rare incurable diseases.
However, the government has expanded the coverage for certain diseases if doctors acknowledge the need.
In April last year, the government already began to cover ultrasound examinations for the liver, bladder and most of the upper body. Now the national health insurance will include lower body examinations such as intestines and kidneys.
In October 2018, cerebrovascular MRIs were covered under the health insurance, and starting the first half of this year, cephalic and neck MRI inspections will also be included in the coverage.
Expanded postnatal care services
The government has expanded support for mothers with newborns, who will now be eligible to receive government-funded postnatal care services at home.
Previously, due to limited budget, only households that made a monthly income of less than 3.63 million won were eligible to receive the services. However, starting this month, households that receive 4.52 million won or less are also included in the plan.
With that move, some 117,000 people are expected to benefit, up from 80,000. The government plans to further expand the program by 2022 to better stimulate the country's low birthrate.
More people included in national health checkup
Most of the people in their 20s and 30s, who were employed or householders with national health insurance, used to be eligible for the regular national health checkup.
However, unemployed people in the age group, such as jobseekers and housewives, were excluded from the list. The new government policy will allow some 7.2 million people to receive the checkup.
Considering there has been a surge of young adults who are vulnerable to depression, people in their 20s and 30s can now receive mental health checkup, which used to be applied for people in their 40s to 70s.
Insurance to cover children's cavity treatment
Health insurance now covers cavity treatments for children under 12 years old. On average, doctors charge up to 100,000 won for each tooth for treating cavities. However, with the new policy, the bill will be reduced by over 70 percent to 25,000 won per tooth.