Amid ongoing conflicts between the government and medical professionals over the increase of medical school enrollment for next year, a survey revealed that the depletion rate of health insurance finances is accelerating. The rapid increase in expenditure is cited as the reason due to the government's strengthening support for medical reform and the maintenance of the emergency care system.
According to the National Assembly Budget Office's report titled 'Health Insurance Financial Outlook Reflecting Medical Reform and Emergency Response Measures' published on the 25th, the health insurance finances are expected to transition to a deficit starting next year due to government support measures arising from the conflict.
Initially, the transition of health insurance finances to a deficit was expected in 2026, but following the medical vacancy crisis in February, the government quickly depletes finances by introducing the 'first implementation plan for medical reform' and emergency measures. The Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to invest more than 20 trillion won in health insurance finances over the next five years for a 'fair reimbursement system (normalization of the compensation system)' and subsequent measures. To operate the emergency care system, it will support 208.5 billion won per month from health insurance until the 'serious' phase of emergency care is lifted, and advance payment has been made to training hospitals.
As expenditure of the health insurance finances increases, the depletion of the accumulated reserves is expected to be advanced by two years from 2030 to 2028. It is also forecasted that the accumulated deficit of health insurance over the next decade will increase by approximately 32.2 trillion won.
The Budget Office noted that the government increased compensation rates to strengthen care for severely ill and emergency patients and provided 1.4844 trillion won in support for training hospitals under the health insurance advance payment measure for only June to August, emphasizing the need to secure long-term financial stability reflecting additional financial requirements.