Pulmonary Function Tests to Be Added to National Health Screening for Ages 56 and 66 Starting Next Year

National Health Screening Committee Convenes
Strengthening Follow-Up Management for Dyslipidemia and Diabetes

Starting next year, citizens aged 56 and 66 will be able to receive pulmonary function tests as part of the National Health Screening Program. In addition, the out-of-pocket expenses for dyslipidemia and hemoglobin A1c tests, which previously required separate payments, will be eliminated.

On September 18, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it had convened the "2025 1st National Health Screening Committee," where it reviewed and approved plans to newly introduce pulmonary function tests and to strengthen follow-up management for dyslipidemia and diabetes.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a major chronic respiratory illness, has a high prevalence rate of 12%, but the awareness rate is only 2.3%. Since the disease often presents no symptoms in its early stages, there has been a growing need for early detection through inclusion in the national screening program. With the committee's decision, citizens aged 56 and 66 will now receive pulmonary function tests during their national health screenings starting next year.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare expressed its expectations, stating, "Introducing pulmonary function tests into the national health screening program will contribute to the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It will also be linked to follow-up care systems such as smoking cessation services and health management programs, ultimately helping to prevent severe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

The committee also decided to add dyslipidemia and hemoglobin A1c tests for diabetes confirmation to the list of post-screening items exempt from out-of-pocket expenses, in order to strengthen the connection between screening and treatment.

Currently, if a person is suspected of having hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis C, depression, or early psychosis based on their health screening results, they are exempt from out-of-pocket expenses for the first consultation and related tests only when they visit a medical institution for the first time after screening.

Going forward, if a person is suspected of having dyslipidemia based on their health screening and visits a medical institution, the out-of-pocket consultation fee will be waived.

In cases where diabetes is suspected, currently only the consultation fee and fasting blood glucose test are exempt from out-of-pocket expenses during the initial visit. However, from next year, the hemoglobin A1c test will also be provided without any out-of-pocket cost.

The measures decided upon will be implemented starting January next year, following system upgrades and amendments to the "Health Screening Implementation Standards" during the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, the committee also received a report on the plan to establish the "4th Comprehensive National Health Screening Plan" for next year. The comprehensive plan for national health screening is required to be established every five years under the "Basic Health Screening Act," and the third plan, established in 2021, is currently in effect.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has been conducting research since July to review the achievements and limitations of previous plans and to reflect changes in the screening environment, aiming to develop a more effective comprehensive plan. The committee reported key initiatives such as evidence-based reform of the health screening system, strengthening screening by life cycle, and enhancing follow-up management. The final plan is scheduled to be confirmed and announced in the first half of next year. In addition, the committee will discuss the reform of chest radiography screening-an existing item found to lack sufficient medical and scientific evidence and to have low effectiveness-in the "2025 2nd National Health Screening Committee" meeting scheduled for November.

Lee Hyunghoon, the Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will make every effort to extend the healthy lifespan of all citizens through the National Health Screening Program, which is a key pillar for preventive health management, by enabling early detection of diseases, follow-up care, and lifestyle improvements."