Gyeonggi Province Doubles Medical Expense Support for Premature Infants from 10 Million to 20 Million Won

Gyeonggi Province to Expand Diaper and Formula Support Eligibility from July
Up to 20 Million Won in Support for Premature Infants, Up from 10 Million Won
Support for Newborns with Congenital Anomalies Increased from 5 Million to 7 Million Won
Income Criteria Relaxed from 80% to 100% of Median Income

In response to the increase in high-risk newborns due to delayed marriages, Gyeonggi Province will raise the medical expense support limits for premature infants and newborns with congenital anomalies starting this year, and expand the eligibility for essential childcare supplies such as diapers and infant formula.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

Accordingly, the support limit, which previously ranged from 3 million to 10 million won depending on the birth weight of premature infants, has been significantly increased to between 4 million and 20 million won as of January. In particular, extremely low birth weight infants (weighing less than 1 kg) can now receive up to 20 million won in support, double the previous amount, ensuring the right to health for infants and young children who require urgent treatment regardless of household income.

The eligible recipients are premature infants born before 37 weeks of gestation or with a birth weight under 2.5 kg, who are admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit and receive treatment or surgery within 24 hours of birth.

The medical expense support limit for newborns with congenital anomalies has also been raised from the previous maximum of 5 million won to 7 million won. Support is available for infants diagnosed with a congenital anomaly (Q code) within two years of birth and who undergo surgery during hospitalization within two years to treat the condition.

In addition, to reduce the childcare cost burden for families facing financial hardship, the province has significantly lowered the eligibility threshold for the 'Low-Income Family Diaper and Infant Formula Support Program.'

This program provides a monthly diaper purchase voucher worth 90,000 won for infants under two years old, and an additional formula purchase voucher worth 110,000 won per month if breastfeeding is not possible.

Starting in July, the income criteria for households with disabled members or multiple children will be relaxed from the previous 80% of the median income (4,288,000 won per month for a three-person household in 2026) to 100% (5,360,000 won). With this relaxation, the province expects to reduce the fixed childcare expenditure burden for low-income and vulnerable households.

Yoo Youngcheol, Director of the Health and Wellness Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "This expansion of support is a nationwide initiative, and the goal is to establish a comprehensive social safety net so that families wishing to have children do not have to give up treatment or childcare for economic reasons." He added, "Expanding medical expense support and assistance for essential childcare supplies will help create a healthy environment for raising children and serve as a foundation for reversing the low birth rate."