Lee Jae-myung Boosts 'Hair Loss Health Insurance' Again... Coverage Rate and Scope Likely to Be Key Factors

46th SoHwakHaeng Promise Formalized
Guarantee Rate and Scope Not Included
"Will Decide Through Social Discussion and Expert Debate"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, officially confirmed and announced the plan to apply health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment, which had sparked a 'populism controversy.' The key issue is how much the health insurance will cover, but no specific details were provided in this announcement. Whether this is a populist pledge will depend on how the so-called coverage rate and scope are determined.

On the 14th, Lee announced the "Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage for Hair Loss Treatment Drugs" as his 46th small but certain happiness (So-hwak-haeng) pledge. This idea was proposed by the Democratic Party's Dynamite Youth Election Committee, and when Lee mentioned the possibility of making it a pledge on the 5th, it caused a significant reaction and controversy.

In the pledge announcement via SNS on the same day, Lee said, "If (hair loss treatment) coverage is implemented, product prices will also decrease." Regarding the core policy details such as the coverage rate, he stated, "Through social discussion and opinion gathering, if an appropriate fee is determined, the health insurance burden can be minimized." For now, he only presented a fundamental direction to reform the patient co-payment rate and coverage standards for treatment drugs and to review the application of health insurance to hair transplant surgery. He also mentioned that the application of health insurance to hair transplant surgery will be reviewed.

According to data from the National Health Insurance Service cited by the Democratic Party's election committee, the number of people treated for "pathological hair loss" in 2020 was 233,000, a 9.9% increase compared to 2016. More than half (51.4%) of hair loss patients were under 30 years old. Although males accounted for 133,000 (57.2%), more than females, females outnumbered males in the 50 and older age group.