Lee Jae-myung, "Will Expand Health Insurance Coverage for Dental Implants"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is announcing policy pledges related to Incheon City at Kkum Bakery in Jung-gu, Incheon, on the afternoon of the 14th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced a pledge to expand health insurance coverage for dental implants. The core of the policy is to increase the number of teeth covered by insurance and reduce the age limit and personal burden rate to alleviate the financial burden on the elderly.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Lee posted a photo on Facebook with a brief message saying, "Support for senior implants: 4 teeth from age 65, 2 teeth from age 60." He added, "We must ensure that more citizens can enjoy a balanced diet and taste healthy and delicious food to lead a joyful life," and stated, "We will expand health insurance coverage for dental implants."

Lee explained, "Dental implants, first included as a health insurance benefit in 2014, rank second in major health insurance policy evaluations and have very high public satisfaction. They are essential policies for the elderly as they most effectively restore lost teeth and chewing ability." He pointed out the problem, saying, "Currently, only those aged 65 and older are eligible for health insurance coverage, and the number of covered implants is very limited to two."

In response, Lee promised, "We will ease the current age and quantity restrictions of the system to strive for healthier eating habits and a higher quality of life for more citizens."

Specifically, he pledged to gradually lower the age for implant health insurance coverage from the current 65 to 60 and to provide an additional two implants for the elderly aged 65 and above, allowing up to four implants to be covered by health insurance. Lee said, "We will apply implant benefits equally even in cases of complete edentulism (no teeth)." He added, "Currently, dentures are covered, but implant benefits are excluded for edentulous patients, so this will be a great help to those patients."