임신출산진료비It was found that the number of applicants for support for pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses, a support policy for pregnant women and newborns, has recovered after plummeting in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the ‘Status of Pregnancy and Childbirth Medical Expense Support System’, a government audit data submitted by Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service, the number of applicants for pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses support was 354,587 in 2018, 365,579 in 2019, and 365,579 in 2019. It plummeted from 329,688 cases in 2020 to 188,238 cases in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached its peak, and then increased again to 420,864 cases in 2022.
From 2018 to August 2023, the total number of applicants was 1,851,998, and when analyzed by 5-year age group, those aged 30 to 35 accounted for the largest proportion with 798,110 applications, or 43.1%.
Next were those between 35 and under 40 years old with 490,682 people, or 26.9%, and those between 25 and 30 years old with 365,742 people, or 19.7%, with the majority of those between 25 and under 40 years old being 89.7%. appeared to occupy.
The pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses support project creates a childbirth-friendly environment by reducing the burden of medical expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth, and provides funds that can be used to pay out-of-pocket costs for medical expenses (benefit and non-benefit) related to pregnancy and childbirth so that a healthy fetus can be delivered. It provides a ticket.
Those eligible to apply for pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses are health insurance subscribers or dependents with confirmed pregnancy and childbirth, and the amount and scope of support has been continuously expanded since the system was implemented. Currently, 1 million won for single fetuses and 1.4 million won for multiple fetuses are supported, and can be used for medical expenses (covered or non-covered) for pregnant women and infants under 2 years of age up to 2 years from the expected date of delivery or birth.
The total amount of pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses (National Happiness Card) used in 2022 was KRW 349,765.78 million. Looking at the type of medical institution, 39.9%, or KRW 139,739.7 million, were used at hospital-level medical institutions, and 32.6%, or KRW 113,878.9 million, were used at clinic-level medical institutions.
10.1%, or 35,349.12 million won, was used at pharmacies, followed by 8.3%, or 29,174.32 million won, at general hospitals, and 4.9%, or 17,099.39 million won, at tertiary general hospitals.
Rep. Nam In-soon pointed out, “The system to support mothers and newborns in the era of ultra-low birth rates is continuously expanding, including increasing to 1 million won for single fetuses and 1.4 million won for multiple fetuses from 2022, and increasing the scope of use, but there are still blind spots.” did.
He continued, “Not only have medical expenses increased due to the increase in high-risk mothers due to the increase in late marriage, but there are still many non-covered items such as morning sickness medication and birth defect tests, and the cost of postpartum care, which varies widely, is 1 million won supported by the government for the entire process from pregnancy to childbirth. “It is not enough,” he said, adding, “Sufficient support for pregnancy and childbirth is absolutely necessary.”
Meanwhile, the ‘Adolescent Mother Pregnancy and Childbirth Medical Expense System’ provides separate support of 1.2 million won per pregnancy to adolescent mothers under the age of 19. Teen mothers under the age of 19 who are enrolled in health insurance (or medical insurance) are eligible for ‘health insurance pregnancy’. ‧Maternity medical expenses’ can also be received.
