[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Republic of Korea met its universal health coverage targets in 1989, just 12 years after the government introduced mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) in 1977.1<\/a><\/sup> During this period, NHI membership was incrementally expanded to the entire population beginning with businesses with 500 or more employees. In addition, the Medical Aid Program (MAP), a tax funded assistance programme for the poor established in 1979, remains in place as of 2024. In 2000, previously decentralized insurance schemes were merged into a single-payer system with two quasi-public organizations \u2013 the National Health Insurance Service, which collects premiums and reimburses providers, and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, which reviews claims and provides quality assurance.2<\/a><\/sup> Although the health system achieves health outcomes that exceed the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development\u00a0 average, the degree of financial protection remains a concern given the high burden of out-of-pocket expenses in the Republic of Korea. In 2019, the country\u2019s government implemented an NHI reform under the Comprehensive National Health Insurance Plan (2019-2023)<\/a> to expand the coverage ratio of the NHI to 70% of medical expenses by 2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Proactive adoption of universal long term care insurance ” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”15px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]The Republic of Korea has the world\u2019s most rapidly aging population. For this reason, in 2008, when older people constituted around 7% of the Republic of Korea\u2019s population, the country put in place a mandatory long term care insurance<\/b> (LTCI) scheme. LTCI features universal long term care coverage for older people. This contributory scheme addresses the financial burden of long-term care. The contribution rate is a fixed percentage of the NHI contribution rate (12.83% in 2023).3<\/a><\/sup> 4<\/a><\/sup>[\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Readiness for social health protection during the COVID-19 pandemic” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=” HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”15px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republic of Korea experienced an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Following this outbreak, legislative and regulatory reforms strengthened the country\u2019s public health emergency preparedness and response systems. Therefore, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, the NHI rapidly responded. The NHI included COVID-19 related testing and medicines in the benefit package and adopted emergency relief measures. These measures included discounting the NHI contribution for individuals heavily affected by COVID-19 and providing relief funds to individuals and businesses. The NHI ensured people\u2019s access to testing and treatment without financial barrier, in line with the Republic of Korea\u2019s universal health coverage for its entire population.5<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Spacer” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” display_conditions=”W10=” custom_padding=”0px|0px|29px|0px|false|false” global_module=”987504603″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n