Incheon Yeonsu District Expands 'Hepatitis C Confirmatory Test Fee Support' to All Medical Institutions

On January 22, the Incheon Yeonsu District Office announced that it will expand the support program for hepatitis C confirmatory test fees to include all medical institutions starting this year.

This program, which began last year, was previously limited to patients tested at clinics and smaller hospitals. However, starting this year, it will also cover individuals who received confirmatory tests at general hospitals and tertiary hospitals.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2023, chronic hepatitis C can cause liver damage, and 5 to 25 percent of patients may progress to cirrhosis, with 1 to 4 percent of those cases further deteriorating into liver cancer.

Although 80 percent of infected individuals exhibit no specific symptoms and there is no preventive vaccine, hepatitis C can be completely cured with antiviral medication, making early detection extremely important.

Incheon Yeonsu District Office

The support is available to 56-year-old residents of Yeonsu District (born in 1970) who tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies through the national health screening and subsequently underwent a confirmatory test (HCV RNA). The program will cover the initial consultation and test fees required for the confirmatory test, up to a maximum of 70,000 won for one occasion.

In addition, residents born in 1969 who tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies in last year's national health screening but have not yet applied, or who were previously excluded from the program because they were tested at a general hospital or higher-level medical institution, can apply for retroactive support until March 31.

To apply online, search for 'hepatitis C confirmatory test fee support' on the Government24 website and upload the required documents. Alternatively, applicants can visit the Yeonsu District Public Health Center with a detailed statement of medical expenses issued by the medical institution, the general health screening result notification, and a copy of a bank account under the applicant's name.