Gimhae City Public Health Center Expands Medical Expense Support Program for Rare Disease Patients

Target Diseases Expanded from 1,038 to 1,110
Income and Property Criteria Also Expanded

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] The Gimhae City Public Health Center in Gyeongnam supports patients with rare diseases who require continuous treatment and face high medical expenses.

According to the 2021 revision of the rare disease patient medical expense support project guidelines, the number of eligible diseases has expanded from 1,038 to 1,110, and the income and property criteria have also been broadened.

Eligible recipients are health insurance subscribers registered under the rare disease patient special case, medical aid recipients, and those eligible for reduced co-payments under the lower-income bracket.

Health insurance subscribers must meet the support criteria regarding the income and property of both the patient’s household and the household of the supporting obligor.

Once registered as a rare disease patient, 10% of the co-payment for medical benefits is waived, and depending on the disease, support is provided for purchasing assistive devices, nursing care costs, and special dietary expenses.

Applicants should prepare required documents such as a diagnosis certificate, family relation certificate, and income and property-related documents, and apply at the public health center responsible for their resident registration area.

Kang Sun-hee, Director of the Health Promotion Division, said, “As the number of rare diseases eligible for support has increased this year, I hope more citizens will benefit and receive economic assistance.”

For inquiries about support, contact the Chronic Disease Management Team of the Health Promotion Division at the Gimhae City Public Health Center.

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