30% of Traffic Accident Patients Opt for Early Discharge Following Negotiations with Insurance Companies

Traffic Accident Stock Photo

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] It has been revealed that 3 out of 10 patients hospitalized due to traffic accidents are discharged early due to settlement offers from their subscribed non-life insurance companies. Concerns have been raised that patients may not be receiving proper treatment when accepting settlement money and leaving early, highlighting the need for post-management from a public health perspective.

According to data received by National Assembly member Yang Jeongsuk of the Political Affairs Committee from the Financial Supervisory Service, 31% of traffic accident inpatients over the past five years were discharged early without completing the hospitalization period stated in their medical certificates. Their actual hospitalization period was only 43% of the diagnosed duration.

From 2017 to 2021, there were 10.87 million reported automobile traffic accidents. Among these, 2.98 million cases required inpatient treatment, accounting for about 27% of the total. However, out of these 2.98 million cases requiring hospitalization, more than 920,000 cases did not complete the full hospitalization period indicated in their medical certificates due to early 'settlement discharge' inducements by non-life insurance companies.

The non-life insurance company that most actively induced early 'settlement discharge' was Hana Non-Life Insurance, which led early discharge in 85.3% of approximately 58,000 hospitalizations over the past five years, amounting to about 50,000 cases. This was followed by Lotte Non-Life Insurance (82.9%) and AXA Non-Life Insurance (82.7%). Among the four major large non-life insurers, DB Non-Life Insurance induced early 'settlement discharge' in 64.3% of about 600,000 hospitalizations, totaling approximately 390,000 cases.

It is interpreted that non-life insurance companies induce early 'settlement discharge' by providing settlement money because the burden and costs of patient management increase the longer the settlement is delayed.

Member Yang Jeongsuk stated, "The fact that early 'settlement discharge' rates exceed 60% not only among small but also the four major large non-life insurance companies is an issue that needs to be reconsidered from the perspective of consumer health," adding, "Thorough post-management by supervisory authorities is necessary to ensure that consumers do not suffer any disadvantages as a result."

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