Gochang-gun Provides 'Indefinite' Medical Expense Support for Low-Income Atopy Patients

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] The Gochang County Health Center in Jeonbuk will provide indefinite medical expense (examination fee) support for low-income patients with atopic dermatitis.

On the 24th, according to the Gochang County Health Center, the medical expense support period for low-income atopic dermatitis patients, which was previously up to 5 years, has been extended to allow continuous support without time restrictions.

The medical expense support target for atopy includes patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (disease code L20) by specialized institutions (dermatology specialists, Korean medicine institutions, pediatric specialists) and whose household income is at or below 100% of the median income standard. Medical expense support is provided up to a maximum of 500,000 KRW per person annually.

The support covers legally mandated co-pay medical expenses, co-pay medical expenses for non-reimbursable items, and costs for purchasing treatments, lotions, creams, and other moisturizing products. Eligible individuals must submit documents such as the medical expense support application, diagnosis certificate, and medical fee receipts to the health center.

The Gochang County Health Center operates an atopy counseling office year-round. It plans to hold six sessions annually of atopy health education and hands-on classes for making moisturizing products, shampoos, and other items beneficial for atopy.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and highly recurrent inflammatory skin disease that mainly begins in infancy and childhood.

A representative from the Gochang County Health Center stated, “We plan to operate various education and experience programs along with medical treatment to reduce the burden on children with atopic dermatitis and their families and to improve their quality of life.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.