It was revealed on the 6th that medical expenses for seniors aged 65 and older have surpassed 50 trillion won due to aging. According to the data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to the People Power Party lawmaker Kim Mi-ae, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee, medical expenses covered by health insurance for seniors aged 65 and older increased by 39%, from 37.4737 trillion won in 2020 to 52.1221 trillion won last year.
During the same period, the medical expenses per person for seniors aged 65 and older increased by 13%, from 4.741 million won to 5.368 million won. As of the first half of this year, these medical expenses totaled 27.9817 trillion won, with per capita expenses of 2.8 million won.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's second comprehensive plan for the National Health Insurance (2024-2028), the health insurance operating income is expected to turn into a deficit next year after maintaining a surplus of 463.3 billion won until this year. The cumulative surplus is projected to be in the 30 trillion won range until 2027, decreasing to 28.4209 trillion won in 2028. Lawmaker Kim Mi-ae noted, "Aging is affecting the finances of health insurance."