It was revealed on the 15th that the expense incurred when patients living in the provinces use a general hospital in Seoul exceeds 4.6 trillion won annually. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) released a report titled 'Costs Due to Outflow of Regional Patients and Public Perception of Regional National University Hospitals.'
KIHASA estimated the expenses for patients whose registered residence is not in Seoul among those using general hospitals in Seoul. The expense was calculated by subtracting the total expense incurred when the patient receives treatment in Seoul from the total expense incurred when receiving treatment at their residence.
As a result, the transportation and accommodation expenses alone when patients from the provinces flow to Seoul amounted to 412.1 billion won. When added to the difference in treatment costs, it reached 1.7537 trillion won. If various opportunity costs are included, the total expense due to the outflow of regional patients was 4.627 trillion won.
The total expense incurred when receiving treatment in Seoul includes treatment costs (health insurance benefits and out-of-pocket expenses), accommodation expenses, nursing expenses, and opportunity costs due to hospitalization and outpatient visits. The regional total expense consists of treatment costs, transportation expenses, nursing expenses, and opportunity costs. The treatment costs, days of hospitalization, and number of outpatient visits were based on data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Accommodation expenses were calculated using data from the Korea Consumer Agency.
On the other hand, KIHASA surveyed 1,050 men and women aged 19 to 69 living in regions excluding the capital area through Korea Research, finding that 81.2% answered, 'They believe the medical gap between our country's capital area and the regions is serious.' KIHASA noted, 'We need to strengthen the capabilities of national university hospitals to ensure individual medical choice and reduce losses across society.'