Government: "Medical Institutions' 'Health Insurance Benefit Advance Payment' Expanded from TK to Nationwide" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government has decided to provide advance payment of health insurance premiums to medical institutions nationwide to alleviate the difficulties faced by medical institutions dedicated to the frontlines of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Park Neung-hoo, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), announced at a regular briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the 15th, "We will expand the advance payment of health insurance, which was applied to medical institutions in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, nationwide."

Accordingly, the government will allow medical institutions outside the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, whose sales have decreased compared to the previous year due to the impact of COVID-19, to receive 90-100% of the previous year's monthly health insurance benefits in advance and settle the difference afterward. ▲Infectious disease control institutions ▲Nationally designated inpatient treatment bed operating institutions ▲Screening clinic installation institutions ▲Public relief hospitals will receive 100%, while other medical institutions will receive about 90%.

Deputy Head Park also stated, "The early payment system, which shortens the period from claim to payment from the existing 22 days to 10 days so that medical institutions can receive payment within 10 days after claiming health insurance benefits, will be maintained."

Additionally, starting from the 20th, the government will raise the fees for negative pressure isolation rooms and intensive care units that treat critically ill patients. The inpatient isolation management fee within intensive care units will increase by 100%, and the inpatient fee for negative pressure isolation rooms will increase by 20%. For patients admitted to 16 nationwide residential treatment centers, medical expenses such as health insurance, COVID-19 specimen tests, and chest X-rays will also be supported.

Deputy Head Park said, "We have decided to improve working conditions and strengthen support to prevent medical personnel from excessive overwork and fatigue," adding, "We are grateful for the hard work and sacrifice of numerous medical staff and related personnel at the COVID-19 response sites."

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