Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Ban on Mixed Treatment Is Not 'Medical Privatization,' Strict Response to False Information"

Spread of Fake News on 'Mixed Treatment Ban'
'Will Sleep Endoscopy and Painless Injection Become More Expensive?' Incorrect Information
Not All Non-Covered Services... Excessive Treatments Like Manual Therapy Targeted
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Park Minsu: "Do Not Be Misled by False Information"

The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently announced on the 29th that it will respond strictly to the 'false information' spreading in relation to medical reform.

Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters briefing on doctors' collective action held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, "The government has decided to respond strictly to the act of openly spreading false information among doctors to undermine medical reform," adding, "A representative example is the 'ban on mixed treatment for excessive non-reimbursable services in non-severe cases.'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mixed treatment refers to providing medical services that combine reimbursable and non-reimbursable items. Vice Minister Park referred to a post on social networking services (SNS) by the 'Hallym University Medical School Medical Policy Response TF,' stating, "'If the public wishes to receive endoscopy under sedation in the future, they will have to pay much more than now' and 'Since painless injections are also non-reimbursable items, if administered, surgery must also be paid for as non-reimbursable and expensive' are completely false and incorrect information."

Vice Minister Park said, "In another community, false information such as 'the ban on mixed treatment will activate private insurance, which will eventually lead to the abolition of the compulsory designation system for health insurance and medical privatization' has been spreading," and added, "The government reiterates that the ban on mixed treatment does not apply to all non-reimbursable services."

He explained, "As an example of the ban on mixed treatment, items such as 'manual therapy' and 'cataract surgery,' which are not severe but have been identified as social problems due to excessive treatment, were presented," and said, "Since this is a newly introduced system, the 'Special Committee on Medical Reform' will repeatedly prepare specific management plans, including applicable targets and items."

He further explained, "Non-reimbursable items accompanying essential medical treatment can still be used as they are now."

Vice Minister Park stated, "Sedated endoscopy and painless injections are not excessive non-reimbursable services, and the government has no plans to apply the ban on mixed treatment to these items."

He continued, "The government's intention to strengthen the management of non-reimbursable services is to prevent the proliferation of unnecessary non-reimbursable services that negatively affect public health and excessively increase patients' medical expenses," adding, "The aim is to prevent medical abuse, strengthen the health insurance finances, and restore the essential medical system that is on the verge of collapse."

Vice Minister Park questioned, "How can such policies be claimed to be the abolition of the compulsory designation system for health insurance and medical privatization?" and emphasized, "The government will firmly maintain the compulsory designation system for health insurance, has never even considered medical commercialization, and has no plans to do so."

He said, "We will respond firmly and strictly to acts that intentionally spread false information to undermine policies and mislead the public," urging the public, "Please do not be misled by false information and be sure to check the fact-check explanations on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's website."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the 29th, the deadline set by the government for residents who participated in collective action to return, the number of residents who left the hospitals decreased for the second consecutive day.

As of 11 a.m. on the 28th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that 294 residents had returned to medical sites. According to data from 100 training hospitals, 32 hospitals had at least one resident return, and 10 hospitals had 10 or more residents return. There was even a hospital where up to 66 residents returned.

Vice Minister Park said, "I am relieved that residents have returned to the patients' side," and added, "Deciding to return was a wise judgment." He further urged, "Residents who have not yet returned are urged to come back to their medical and training positions by today."