[Issue Summary] "Stop the Animal Medical Bill Shock"…Mandatory Advance Notice of Veterinary Clinic Fees

Amendment to the Veterinarian Act... Disclosure of Animal Hospital Test Fees Required

[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon] "This will be very helpful for people who have companion animals."

From now on, when companion animals undergo major medical treatments such as surgery at animal hospitals, the expected medical expenses must be informed to the owners in advance. Among pet owners, disputes over excessive charges and overtreatment have often occurred because animal hospitals autonomously set medical fees, and the names of medical items, medical procedures, and fee structures vary by hospital. Experts predict that this legal amendment will further strengthen animal rights protection.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the amendment to the Veterinarian Act, which requires animal hospitals to notify expected medical costs for major treatments such as surgery in advance and to post major medical fees within the hospital, was promulgated on the 4th.

Under the amended Veterinarian Act, veterinarians must explain the diagnosis, necessity of treatment, possible sequelae or side effects, and owner compliance requirements before major treatments such as surgery, and obtain written consent. Also, when major treatments such as surgery or blood transfusion are necessary, the expected medical costs must be informed to the animal owner or others.

A citizen is spending time with their pet dogs. Photo is not related to specific expressions in the article.

Medical fees for animal examination, hospitalization, vaccinations, various tests, and other animal medical services prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must also be posted visibly within the animal hospital for users.

Medical fees exceeding the posted amounts cannot be charged, and the law will apply from one year after enforcement for animal hospitals with two or more veterinarians, and from two years after enforcement for those with only one veterinarian.

Park Jeonghoon, Director of the Quarantine Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "Through this amendment to the Veterinarian Act, the right to know and the right to choose treatment for animal hospital users will be guaranteed, and animal medical services are expected to improve further." He added, "Standard treatment codes and standard treatment procedures by medical item related to animal treatment will also be established, contributing to securing statistical information on animal diseases and promoting cooperation among animal hospitals, thereby advancing animal medical care."

Civilians also view this legal amendment positively. On the 4th, Min Byeongun (60, self-employed), whom we met in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "Initially, the hospital fee for one of my deceased companion dogs was 200,000 won," adding, "But later, 700,000 won was charged." He continued, "It was disappointing that the (treatment costs were not accurate)," and said, "This amendment will be very helpful for people who have companion animals. Even those who did not visit animal hospitals often might visit more frequently."

Baek Incheol (35) said, "I had a dog while attending university," and explained the situation at animal hospitals at the time, saying, "Rather than being informed of the expected costs by the hospital, I heard advice from acquaintances around me about how much it might cost."

Baek added, "At the time of hospital treatment, I don't think I properly heard anything about the costs. I was informed afterward," and said, "People have the right to hear explanations about treatment and choose what kind of treatment they will receive when they go to a hospital. It was not very pleasant to be notified afterward like 'this was done and this much was charged' as if animals were objects."

Experts emphasized that this amendment to the Veterinarian Act can further guarantee animal rights. Kim Hyunji, Policy Director at KARA, said, "The threshold to animal hospitals still feels somewhat high for owners, but as standardization begins, it will strongly promote animal welfare within society," adding, "If treatment methods and costs are informed in advance when treating animals, equitable treatment can be realized compared to the process of treating humans."