"Must follow government policy... ID must be presented"
Netizens "Witnessed scolding... can feel the hardship"
On the 20th, a policy requiring patients to carry identification when visiting medical institutions was implemented, and a 'Identification Presentation Notice' posted at a hospital has become a hot topic.
On the 20th, as the policy requiring patients to carry identification when visiting medical institutions was implemented, a "Notice for Presenting Identification" was posted at a clinic in Sinjeong-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. [Image source=Online community capture]
Recently, a photo of a notice from a hospital was shared on several online communities under the title "First Day of Hospital ID Check Update." The notice stated, "Please do not say 'Don't you know me?' or 'Who am I?' or 'Why don't you recognize me?' From May 20th, ID checks are mandatory at medical institutions." It also said, "You must present a mobile health insurance card, resident registration card, or ID card. Company ID cards are not accepted." The notice added, "This is a law mandated by the government, so we must comply. We ask for patients' understanding with a generous heart." This notice was reportedly posted at a clinic in Sinjeong-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan.
Netizens who saw this reacted with comments such as, "You can feel the difficulties of hospital staff," "Even without looking, I can imagine people whining, saying 'I come here often,' 'Don't you know me?' or 'Other places don't do this?'," and "Hospitals will be hectic for a while." There were also reports of similar experiences. One netizen said, "Today at the dermatology clinic, someone shouted, 'I've been coming here for over a year, and you don't know me? How can you run a business without this kind of flexibility?'"
On the morning of the 20th, a notice about carrying identification cards is displayed on the electronic billboard of Incheon Seo-gu International St. Mary's Hospital. From this day forward, when receiving medical treatment covered by health insurance benefits, patients must carry identification cards and undergo identity verification. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, starting from the 20th, the government implemented a mandatory identity verification system to prevent fraudulent use of health insurance. Under this system, when receiving medical services covered by health insurance at hospitals or clinics, patients must verify their identity and health insurance eligibility by presenting an ID card, mobile ID, driver's license, passport, simple authentication, or telecom authentication to receive health insurance benefits. Minors without proper ID can present their resident registration number to receive treatment. If a patient forgets to bring their ID, they must pay the full cost of treatment themselves.
This policy was enacted due to ongoing abuse cases where individuals without health insurance eligibility fraudulently use others' health insurance benefits. The National Health Insurance Service revealed that an average of 35,000 cases of health insurance eligibility fraud were detected annually over the past five years.
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