Gwangyang City to Provide Up to 500,000 Won in Medical Support for Pregnant Women Aged 35 and Over

266 Benefited from the 'Medical Expense Plus Program for Advanced Maternal Age' Last Year

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do announced on the 23rd that 266 pregnant women aged 35 or older benefited from the 'Medical Expense Plus Program for Advanced Maternal Age' implemented since July last year until December.

Pregnant women aged 35 or older typically undergo more prenatal checkups and often require additional detailed examinations. Although the National Health Insurance Service provides 1,000,000 KRW per pregnancy through the Maternity Medical Expense Voucher (National Happiness Card), many citizens expressed that this amount is insufficient.

Exterior view of Gwangyang City Hall.

To address these concerns and realize lifelong welfare that provides comprehensive protection from the fetal stage, the city introduced the 'Medical Expense Plus Program for Advanced Maternal Age' in July last year, which received a positive response from citizens.

The 'Medical Expense Plus Program for Advanced Maternal Age' is a separate initiative from the Maternity Medical Expense Voucher and provides up to 500,000 KRW in medical and examination expenses to pregnant women aged 35 or older. Eligible recipients are pregnant women aged 35 or older with resident registration in Gwangyang, or pregnant women under 35 who have been identified as having abnormal findings in fetal anomaly screening. After registering as a pregnant woman at the public health center, eligibility is confirmed and a coupon is issued.

Eligible recipients must present the coupon when receiving medical care and examinations at local obstetrics and gynecology clinics (Mirae Women's Clinic, Ryu Women's Clinic). The recipient pays the medical and examination fees in advance, and after childbirth, can claim reimbursement by submitting the medical bill receipt, detailed statement, and coupon to the Gwangyang City Public Health Center within six months.

Lee Hyang, head of the Birth and Health Department, said, "This program was implemented to provide practical support to pregnant women of advanced maternal age who face financial burdens due to prenatal examination costs," and added, "We hope that many pregnant women will prepare for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth through this program in the future."

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