"50% Reduction in COVID-19 Testing Fees for Admissions to Nursing and Psychiatric Hospitals"

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 11th that it will expand COVID-19 diagnostic testing to nursing hospitals and psychiatric hospitals to strengthen surveillance of major vulnerable groups and facilities in the community.

Accordingly, the full out-of-pocket cost for one test upon admission to nursing hospitals and psychiatric hospitals, which was previously 80,000 to 160,000 KRW, will be reduced by 50% to about 40,000 KRW. This will continue from the 13th until further notice.

Since February 7, the government has been fully covering the cost of COVID-19 diagnostic tests through health insurance and government budgets for confirmed cases, suspected cases, and symptomatic individuals under investigation, as defined by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

In addition, considering expert opinions that testing is necessary for newly admitted patients without COVID-19 related symptoms in nursing hospitals and psychiatric hospitals, the government decided to expand health insurance coverage.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "We will review the possibility of further health insurance coverage for hospitalized patients in medical institutions while monitoring the future COVID-19 outbreak situation."

As of last year, an average of 1,694 patients are admitted daily to nursing hospitals. It is expected that about 2,000 patients will be tested daily through this measure.

The headquarters said, "By expanding diagnostic testing in nursing hospitals and psychiatric hospitals, COVID-19 monitoring and surveillance of the elderly in the community will be strengthened, and it is expected to block the introduction of hospital infections and prevent the spread of COVID-19."

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