• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Backgrounds : In 2017, National Health Insurance implemented the pilot coverage program for Chuna manual therapy(CMT). 65 Korean Medicine(KM) hospitals and clinics were selected in the program to monitor the effectiveness and patients' satisfaction of insured CMT. Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate patients' satisfaction of CMT in the pilot coverage program of National Health Insurance. Methods : Survey participants were recruited among the patients who used CMT at the designated organizations. On-line questionnaire link was sent to the smart phones of patients who agreed to participate in the survey and provide personal contact information. The questionnaire consisted of the basic charactersitics of respondents, imformation on using CMT satisfaction with CMT and willingness to recommend CMT to others. The answers that were automatically coded and saved were statistically analyzed. Results : Of 386 participants who completed the questionnaire, 92.8% satisfied or strongly satisfied with the CMT. Most frequent reason of satisfaction was 'Good effectiveness', and there was no difference in satisfaction between patients of hospital and those of clinics. Patients with the highest and the lowest level of pain satisfied more than those with other pain levels(p=0.003), but the level of copayment and reasons of CMT use did not affect the satisfaction results(p=0.405). The proportions of respondents who had willingness to recommend CMT to others and to revisit for CMT use were 97.8% and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusions : Most patients were satisfied with CMT in the pilot coverage program, and it can provide the rationale for expanding the insurance coverage of CMT to all KM hospitals and clinics.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess the usage of diagnosis codes for somatic dysfunctions and the general characteristics of patients diagnosed with the code, by analyzing health insurance data provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service(HIRA) of Korea. This investigation is intended to outline future and willing to contribute to further use of diagnosis code and the approach of Oriental Medicine to somatic dysfunction. Materials and Methods : By analyzing HIRA data, those diagnosed with M99 codes, a code attributed to somatic dysfunction, were selected for analysis. Patients included were assessed for the relevant general characteristics, and the specific diagnostic criteria. The current usage rates and noteworthy characteristics of diagnostic codes of somatic dysfunctions were assessed. A comparative analysis between clinical departments and subcategories, and a comparative analysis to data of 2014 was conducted. Results : Patients given M99 codes constituted a small minority of all patients diagnosed in 2011 as shown by HIRA data. The codes were more frequently to older patients, females, outpatients, and those who filed for Health Insurance compensation. Medical institutions participating in the diagnosis were mostly primary care facilities, usually specializing in orthopedic(Western medicine sector) and internal medicine (Oriental Medicine sector). The most registered code in 2011 and 2014 was M995. The same trend can be observed in Oriental/Western medicine institutions and Public health center, on the other hand, between them, have some different patterns both 2nd and 3rd. Conclusions : This investigation is that of current usage of diagnostic codes of somatic dysfunction. HIRA insurance claim data was analyzed. Based on the current results, more precise diagnostic standards of somatic dysfunction are warranted. This study will provide a foundation for future Oriental Medicine approach to somatic dysfunctions.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.179-194
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• 1991

Despite its universal coverage of health insurance, the rural health insurance program(RHIP) stands at the crossroads in Korea. The RHIP has weaknesses in stability of financing, problems of inequities in the provision of health services and has suffered from high cost of running the program. The author has analyzed these problems from the perspective of health insurance policy and presented several options for improvement. First of all, this study urged the importance of a firm Governmental commitment of RHIP with the 50% subsidization of contributions as the Government had promised, instead of the current 40%. This can be justified from the 20% subsidization by the Government for the contributions of private school teachers and their dependents, who belong to richer segments of the population. Second, various cost containment measures ought to be sought curbing the rising demand for medical through strengthening health education and increasing individual responsibility, and tightening the claim review process. Third, this study requires the Government to run a demonstration project on the introduction of case payment system for primary health care. Fourth introducing an income-related cost sharing scheme is another possibility. Reforming the cost sharing formula for large medical expenditures is recommendable for a beginning. This measure can take the form of tax credit for medical expenditures of the poor. Fifth, the degree of financial adjustment among health insurance plans should be levelled up for enhancing stability of RHIP and social solidarity. Sixth, health policy should be redirected toward development of rural health resources and higher priority should be put on relieving difficulties in access to care. Seventh. the insurance plan owned-hospital needs to be developed or provision of health services in the medically underserved areas, and the need of such facilities is particularly acute for geriatric care, rehabilitation and renal dialysis, etc. Eighth, more generous insurance benefits are required of the elderly who are suffering the most : elimination of the maximum 180 days of benefit period and provision of glasses and artificial dentures, etc. Ninth. the economies of scale principle is working for the operating expenses of regional self-employed insurance plan. Thus, measures should be instituted to pursue an optimum size of health insurance plans. Lastly, excessive dependence on exclusion items is an evil so that some radical remedies are urgently required to cut them.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2014

This study tries to investigate inequity in supplementary private health insurance insured in terms of the analysis of insurance insured general characteristics and to analyze the influence of supplementary private health insurance on their admission and their outpatient medical utilization behavior. As a result of the analysis of the general characteristics of supplementary private health insurances insured, it has turned out that men, persons at low ages, people with a spouse and chronic diseases, and persons with a high income have applied such insurances more. We can also tell that low-income classes have difficulty in applying private health insurances as people in the fifth income quintile have applied such insurances about 9 times as much as those in the first income quintile. The analysis of supplementary private health insurance insured health care utilization behavior has revealed that both male and female insured aged less than 55 and without chronic diseases have increases the number of their use of health care, their patient charge, and their medical cost per visit.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.165-177
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• 2012

This study examined market size of private health insurance premium and individual characteristics associated with the market size change in Korea, using wave 1 (2008) and wave 2 (2009) of Korea Health Panel. The market size was 24.4 trillion Korean won in 2008 and 26.9 trillion in 2009. The increase rate of private health insurance premium among those who were the elderly, single, or the poor was higher than that among their counterpart respectively. Health status and utilization were insignificant in determining the increase rate of private health insurance premium. These findings were more obvious among the uninsured in 2008 than among the insured in 2008. The increase of private health insurance premium in Korea imply the increase of willingness-to-pay for health risk through private sector. The authors suggest policy intervention for accessability to health care for the underprivileged and weak through enlargement of Korean social health insurance benefit.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-217
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• 2011

According to the current law of national health insurance, the Minister of Health and Welfare can impose a suspension of business or license, and a fine with medical institutions who violate the law. In case that medical institutions raise an action for ity with each penalty, they ask for replacing the suspension of business with a fine during the pendency of the action. But there is a long gap of time between an offense and administrative measures. One violation cause several types of administrative measures (suspension of business or fine, suspension of license etc.) and different government departments impose these penalties. It takes a lot of time to organize their opinions and they are liable to impose penalties after considerable space of time because of overwhelming tasks. Then the medical institutions can sustain a loss by getting unexpected administrative measures after their offense against the law. Thus, this article review whether extinctive prescription apply to the right of imposing fine on the law of national health insurance or not. Meanwhile, we have no regulations imposing a same fine to co-representatives of medical institution who infringe the law of national health insurance. On this point, this study review whether they have equal duty on that or not.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.99-113
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• 2014

Objectives: To provide theoretical basis for the classification of medicinal moxibustion(藥灸劑) in Health Insurance Medical Benefit in Korea through investigating trend of judicial precedents on indirect moxibustion and usage of medicinal moxibustion in "Donguibogam". Methods: We analyzed statistical data of moxibustion from Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and National Health Insurance Statistical Yearbook. We investigated major judicial precedents on indirect moxibustion to find out some trend and we searched the usages of medicinal moxibustion in "ZhenJiuDaCheng" and "Donguibogam". Results: According to recent judicial precedents, indirect moxibustion with equipment is no loner regarded as Korean Medical Procedure. In composition of 'Oriental Health Treatment', amount for acupuncture has gradually decreased instead, amount for moxibustion has increased steadily for 5 years. Medicinal moxibustion(藥灸劑) is often used as a form of indirect medicinal moxibustion with moxa in "Donguibogam". Argyi Folium, Moschus, Natrii Chloridium, Radix Preparata, Realgar and Olibanum are most frequently used for medicinal moxibustion in "Donguibogam". Medicinal moxibustions are composed of simple prescription or herb-pair or multiple prescription in "Donguibogam". Conclusions: In Health Insurance Medical Benefit in Korea, under the division of moxibustion, direct medicinal moxibustion and indirect medicinal moxibustion should be classified in addition.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.76-82
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• 2000

Objectives : We attempted to assess He accuracy of ICD codes for cerebrovascular diseases in medical insurance claims (ICMIC) and to investigate the reasons for error. This study was designed as a preliminary study to establish a nationwide surveillance system. Methods : A total of 626 patients with medical insurance claims who indicated a diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases during the period from 1993 to 1997 was selected from the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation cohort (KMIC cohort: 115,600 persons). The KMIC cohort was 10% of those insured who had taken health examinations in 1990 and 1992 consecutively. The registered medical record administrators were trained in the survey technique and gathered data from March to May 1999. The definition of cerebrovascular diseases in this study included cases which met ore of two criteria (Minnesota, WHO) or 'definite stroke' in CT/MRI finding. We questioned the medical record administrators to explain the error if the final diagnoses were not coded as stroke. Results : The accuracy rate of the ICMIC was 83.0% (425 cases) Medical records were not available for 8.2% (51 cases) due to the closing of hospitals, the absence of a computer system or omission of medical record, etc. Sixty-three cases (10.0%) were classified as impossible to interpret due to insufficient records in 'major clinical symptoms' or 'neurological deficits'. The most common reason was 'to meet review criteria of medical insurance benefits (52.9%)'. The department where errors in the ICMIC occurred most frequently was the department for medical insurance claims in the hospital. Conclusion : The accuracy rate of the ICMIC was 83.0%.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2003

Objectives : To assess the difference in the volume of psychiatric treatments provided to health insurance inpatients, compared with those on medical assistance(the medical aid program) Korean psychiatric hospitals, and to determine factors which affect the volume of the services. Methods : 21 psychiatrists, from 3 Korean psychiatric hospitals recorded the frequencies psychiatric treatments provided to inpatients in one week (February 18-24, 2002). The records of 329 patients were analyzed through t-tests, and random effectmixed model analyses to define the difference between the two groups, and to find other factors affecting the volume of service. Results : A significant difference in the volume of psychiatric treatments provided was observed between the health insurance and medical assistance groups. The variation in the volume of service between hospitals was prominent, and other factors (gender, agegroup, length of stay and mental disorder)were also found to be significant. The patients on medical assistance received only 70% of the psychiatric treatments of those on health insurance. Conclusions : More effort is required to improve the methods of payment to increase the level of fee scheduling for medical assistance. Further studies on the mechanisms causing these differences in the volume of service are required.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.45-72
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• 2012

The National Health Insurance Corporation has been retrieving from health care providers the payments made to them by insured patients as a result of the health care providers' arbitrary denial of coverage under the National Health Insurance, and has been disbursing such retrieved monies back to the patients, pursuant to Article 57, Sections 1 and 4 of the National Health Insurance Act. However, such practice is an application of the law that lacks legal exactitude. Another problem with such practice is that there is no legal provision under any laws or notices that expressly prohibits arbitrary denial of coverage. A legislative solution, therefore, is called for to address these issues.