Jungnang-gu Expands Medical Expense Support for Patients with Rare Diseases Such as Crohn's Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease

Number of Supported Diseases Increased to 1,338...
Income Criteria Relaxed to Less Than 140% of Median Income

Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is expanding medical expense support for patients with rare diseases. Rare diseases are those with a prevalence of fewer than 20,000 people and are difficult to diagnose and treat, designated by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Through this expansion, in addition to the existing 1,272 diseases such as Crohn's disease, chronic kidney disease (dialysis patients), and hemophilia, 66 additional diseases including ichthyosis and palmoplantar pustulosis have been added, increasing the number of supported diseases from 1,272 to 1,338.

Also, the income criteria have been uniformly relaxed from the previous less than 120% of median income (130% for children and adolescents) to less than 140% of median income for both children and adults.

The rare disease medical expense support project provides support for patients registered under the special calculation system for rare and intractable diseases, covering co-payments for medical benefits, nursing care costs, and special dietary purchase costs. Eligible recipients are selected after reviewing the income and assets of the patient and their obligated supporters' households.

When registered as a 'Rare Disease Special Calculation' beneficiary, 90% of the medical benefit costs are covered by health insurance funds, and low-income health insurance subscribers who meet income and asset criteria can receive an additional 10% co-payment reduction through the 'Rare Disease Medical Expense Support Project,' effectively exempting them from medical benefit costs.

Previously, support applications were only possible if the disease name was specified as the primary diagnosis on the medical certificate, but from this year, applications can be made based on the final diagnosis regardless of whether it is a primary or secondary diagnosis.

Along with the relaxation of income criteria, it is expected that more eligible individuals will be able to receive medical expense support.

The district office operates the rare disease medical expense support project year-round to alleviate the economic burden on patients with rare diseases and their families, who often face difficult diagnoses and require long-term treatment. In 2024, medical expenses for rare diseases were supported for 171 people in the region, covering a total of 7,798 cases amounting to approximately 554 million KRW.

Additionally, every two years, income and asset investigations of the rare disease medical expense support recipients and their obligated supporters are regularly conducted in the first and second halves of the year to review the appropriateness of support.

The list of supported diseases can be checked on the 'Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Rare Disease Helpline' website, and applications can be made by preparing required documents such as a medical certificate issued within the last three months and visiting the public health center.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “The expansion of rare disease medical expense support in 2025 is hoped to provide social, economic, and psychological assistance to patients and their families struggling with medical expenses,” adding, “We will continue to provide steady support so that residents can enjoy a healthy life.”