Health Insurance Claims 2.6 Billion KRW in Compensation Related to BTJ Yeolbang Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) will claim compensation from the BTJ Yeolbang Center in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are increasing.

On the 13th, the NHIS announced, "We plan to claim recovery of unjust enrichment or compensation based on the National Health Insurance Act for medical expenses of COVID-19 confirmed patients due to violations of administrative orders by the state (local governments), refusal of epidemiological investigations, and obstruction of quarantine measures."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of the previous day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to the BTJ Yeolbang Center is 576, of which 126 were visitors and 450 were additional infections.

The total estimated medical expenses for the 576 confirmed cases are approximately 3 billion KRW, of which the NHIS has borne about 2.6 billion KRW. Based on last year's COVID-19 hospitalized patients, the average medical expense per confirmed patient was 5,358,000 KRW, with the NHIS covering 4,529,000 KRW.

The NHIS plans to claim recovery of unjust enrichment or compensation for medical expenses borne by the NHIS against organizations and individuals who violated the "Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act" by being confirmed with COVID-19, receiving treatment under health insurance, or transmitting the virus to others who then received treatment.

If an individual is confirmed with COVID-19 by violating related laws, benefits will be restricted according to Article 53, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the National Health Insurance Act, or if treatment was received under health insurance, the NHIS will recover the medical expenses borne as unjust enrichment according to Article 57, Paragraph 1 of the same Act.

If an individual or organization causes COVID-19 infection to others by violating related laws, the NHIS will claim compensation for medical expenses borne by the NHIS against the individual or organization according to Article 58, Paragraph 1 of the National Health Insurance Act.

The NHIS will proceed in the order of ▲ confirming facts of legal violations ▲ reviewing laws case by case ▲ calculating damages ▲ recovering unjust enrichment or claiming compensation for acts such as obstruction of quarantine by individuals or organizations.

The NHIS stated, "In cases of legal violations such as violation of quarantine guidelines and obstruction of quarantine measures, as seen in Sarang Jeil Church, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and BTJ Yeolbang Center, we plan to actively consider recovery of unjust enrichment or claims for compensation in cooperation with quarantine authorities and local governments."

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