Hapcheon County Implements Mandatory Health Insurance Identity Verification System

"Please Bring Your ID When Visiting Hospitals or Clinics!"

Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 27th that, due to the implementation of the 'Mandatory Health Insurance Identification System' starting from the 20th, patients must bring an ID when receiving medical treatment at healthcare institutions.

Hapcheon County Office Building View

Currently, many medical institutions provide treatment under health insurance by simply checking the resident registration number without a separate identification process. As a result, there have been ongoing cases of system abuse, such as ineligible individuals receiving health insurance benefits by using someone else's identity.

To prevent such abuses and enhance the fairness of the health insurance system, the National Health Insurance Act was revised (Act No. 19420) to mandate identification when applying health insurance at medical institutions. This has been enforced nationwide since the 20th of this month.

However, identification is not required in the following cases: patients under the age of 19, revisits to the same institution within six months after initial identification, cases where medication is dispensed at a pharmacy based on a doctor's prescription, and emergency patients as defined by the Emergency Medical Services Act.

Meanwhile, with the full implementation of the strengthened identification and qualification verification system at medical institutions under the revised National Health Insurance Act, a guidance period is being operated to minimize confusion and administrative burden at the initial stage. During this period, penalties such as fines will be suspended, and the guidance period will last for three months until August 20.

If a patient does not have an ID, they must pay the entire medical cost, including both the corporation’s and personal portions. However, if the patient visits the medical institution within 14 days with both their ID and receipt after receiving treatment, the difference (corporation’s portion) can be refunded.

The Hapcheon-gun Public Health Center is actively promoting the strengthened identification system and informing local residents through village broadcasts to prevent any unfortunate incidents where patients are unable to receive treatment due to lack of ID.

An official from the Public Health Center stated, "Since identification is now required at all hospitals and clinics nationwide, please make sure to bring your ID when visiting a medical institution to avoid situations where you cannot receive treatment."