Jeonju City to Include Hepatitis C Antibody Test in National Health Checkup for 56-Year-Olds Starting This Year

by Kim Ugwan

Published 04 Feb.2025 11:56(KST)

Updated 27 Jul.2025 23:17(KST)

Full Coverage for Patient's Share of Confirmatory Test Costs Provided Once for the First Time

Jeonju City Public Health Center (Director Kim Sinsun) announced on the 4th that from this year, hepatitis C antibody testing will be included in the national health checkup for those aged 56.

The health center will fully cover, for the first time only, the consultation fee and the patient's share of the confirmatory test cost for individuals who test positive for hepatitis C antibodies.

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus, which leads to inflammation of the liver. It is difficult to detect due to the lack of symptoms in most cases, but if appropriate treatment is not provided in the early stages of infection, 54-86% of acute hepatitis cases progress to chronic hepatitis, making early detection crucial.

Jeonju City Hall exterior. Provided by Jeonju City

The hepatitis C antibody test, newly introduced in the national health checkup, is a screening test to determine past infection history or the possibility of current infection. Even if the test result is positive, it does not necessarily mean the person is a “hepatitis C patient.” Therefore, an additional confirmatory test is required to determine current infection.

Eligibility for support for the hepatitis C confirmatory test includes those who, after receiving the national health checkup at age 56 (born in 1969), test positive for hepatitis C antibodies and undergo a confirmatory test at a nearby hospital or clinic. Applications can be submitted online via the “Government24” website or in person at Jeonju City Public Health Center by March 31 of the year following the health checkup.

Kim Sinsun, Director of Jeonju City Public Health Center, said, “Some hepatitis C patients may progress to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, or liver cancer, and the risk increases with age. However, since it is a disease that can be completely cured with available treatments, we hope that supporting the cost of confirmatory testing will help with early detection and treatment of hepatitis C patients.”