Assemblyman Seodong Yong, Non-covered Medical Fees Vary Greatly Among National University Hospitals

25,000 KRW Difference for Single Premium Private Room, 340,000 KRW for MRI Scan (Spine)
Ultrasound Examination Fee for Pregnant Women, Regional National University Hospitals More Expensive Than Seoul 'Big 5 Hospitals'

[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Seo Dong-yong, a member of the National Assembly Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (Jeonnam Suncheon Gwangyang Gokseong Gurye (Eul)), announced on the 12th that an analysis of the ‘Disclosure Status of Non-Reimbursable Medical Expenses at National University Hospitals over the Past 5 Years’ received from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service revealed a significant gap in non-reimbursable medical expenses among national university hospitals, with some national university hospitals charging higher non-reimbursable medical fees than large tertiary hospitals located in Seoul.

As of April last year, the highest fee for a premium hospital room (single room) among national university hospitals was recorded at Seoul National University Hospital at 450,000 KRW.

This was only 10,000 KRW less than the most expensive medical fee charged by Asan Medical Center, the most expensive hospital among all surveyed hospitals.

On the other hand, the cheapest was Chungbuk National University Hospital, where the single room fee was 200,000 KRW, resulting in a maximum price gap of 250,000 KRW among national university hospitals.

The basic MRI examination fees for brain and spine-cervical (general) areas were highest at Seoul National University Hospital among national university hospitals, each recording 735,000 KRW.

The gap in medical fees between the national university hospital charging the most and the one charging the least for each examination area ranged from 205,000 KRW to as much as 346,200 KRW.

Among all surveyed hospitals, Samsung Medical Center charged the highest fees, with brain examination costs at 834,000 KRW and spine-cervical (general) examination costs at 790,000 KRW.

Regarding non-reimbursable ultrasound fees for general pregnant women, national university hospitals located in provincial areas were more expensive for first trimester and second and third trimester examinations.

Based on second and third trimester examination fees, the most expensive national university hospital was Chonnam National University Hospital, charging 193,000 KRW.

This was a whopping 135,000 KRW more expensive than Yonsei Severance Hospital, a large tertiary hospital located in Seoul, which charged 58,000 KRW.

Due to the aging of mothers and increased interest in fetal health, the number of detailed ultrasound examinations is increasing.

The cost of detailed ultrasound examinations at national university hospitals was also highest at Chonnam National University Hospital, similar to general examination items.

The second and third trimester detailed examination fee at Chonnam National University Hospital was 420,000 KRW, more than four times higher than that of Jeju National University Hospital, the cheapest among national university hospitals.

Additionally, it was 191,000 KRW more expensive than Asan Medical Center, the large tertiary hospital in Seoul charging the highest examination fees.

Assemblyman Seo Dong-yong said, “National university hospitals receive massive subsidies from the government every year, so there is no need to operate with excessive profit orientation, yet they arbitrarily set non-reimbursable medical fees, increasing the burden on patients,” and added, “National university hospitals, as public medical institutions, must immediately take steps to ensure that non-reimbursable medical fees are set at appropriate levels.”

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