Support for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Including Administrative and Emergency Hospitalization Costs and Outpatient Treatment Fees for Medical Aid Recipients, Low-Income Groups, and Health Insurance Subscribers with Income Below 65% of Median (Approx. 3.08 Million KRW/Month for a Family of Four)
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is launching a financial support program for treatment costs aimed at low-income individuals with mental illnesses.
The support targets medical aid recipients and near-poverty class residents registered in Nowon-gu, as well as health insurance subscribers with a median income of 65% or less (approximately 3.08 million KRW per month for a family of four). Patients or their guardians must submit a resident registration certificate and income verification documents (proof of health insurance premium payment, medical aid certificate, near-poverty class certificate) to the public health center.
The supported items include out-of-pocket expenses for administrative hospitalization, emergency hospitalization, and outpatient treatment support. These items are necessary when patients with mental illnesses who have discontinued treatment are found in the community. Under this system, the head of the local mental health welfare center or psychiatric medical institution can hospitalize the patient and provide outpatient treatment without necessarily obtaining guardian consent if needed.
Additionally, treatment costs for early and intensive care of patients with early-stage mental illness are also supported.
The specific conditions for treatment cost support apply to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or delusional disorder within five years of their initial diagnosis. However, outpatient treatment support costs will only be provided to patients selected as support recipients after April 24.
The district initiated this program based on the "2019 Ministry of Health and Welfare data on severe mental illness," which showed that 52% of schizophrenia patients did not receive timely treatment within six months of onset, and 48% within twelve months.
Nowon-gu has been operating a mental health welfare center since 1998. Last year, the center provided mental health medical expense support up to 400,000 KRW per person to 59 individuals among its management subjects who were basic livelihood security recipients or health insurance subscribers with a median income of 120% or less (approximately 5.69 million KRW per month for a family of four).
District Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated, “Mental illness has a high relapse rate, so continuous treatment from the early stages of onset is necessary,” adding, “We will continue to cooperate with mental health-related organizations in the community to detect patients who have discontinued treatment or need care early and ensure they receive medical attention.”
Department of Public Health (☎2116-4356)
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