The government will raise the reimbursement for biodegradable materials used in prostate cancer radiation therapy by 40%. Accordingly, the reimbursement will increase from 145,000 won to 200,000 won for tertiary general hospitals.
On the afternoon of the 24th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare held the 8th Health Insurance Policy Review Committee and approved this matter. In accordance with the 2nd Comprehensive Plan for National Health Insurance (2024-2028), the government continuously raises essential medical reimbursements.
Hospitals inject biodegradable materials when performing radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This is because radiation can damage the rectum, which is located near the prostate. By injecting biodegradable materials into the fat near the rectum, a temporary space is created to prevent radiation exposure.
Injecting biodegradable materials near the rectum is a treatment technique that has a high level of difficulty. In the medical field, there has been a continuous call to increase reimbursements to reflect this. A ministry official noted, "We will enhance compensation by identifying medical practices with high workloads."
Additionally, among severe treatment institutions equipped with five high-risk maternal and fetal intensive care units (MFICUs) and more than 15 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), the reimbursement will expand from the current maximum of 480 million won to 950 million won.
The government plans to select comprehensive secondary general hospitals in the first half of this year and support them with 700 billion won annually. Comprehensive secondary general hospitals mainly treat cases excluding severe and rare diseases that are handled by regional tertiary general hospitals. The government aims to strengthen the capabilities of comprehensive secondary general hospitals to prevent patient concentration at university hospitals and revitalize local healthcare. Additionally, the government will enhance performance compensation for the National Medical Center and the National Cancer Center and improve the pilot project for maternal and child healthcare cooperation.