The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on the 23rd that it will fully push ahead with the "2026 essential medical high-payout liability insurance support program" and will begin accepting insurance enrollment applications from medical institutions on the 25th.
The program is a system in which the state fully covers premiums for high-payout liability insurance so that medical staff in essential fields such as obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency care do not bear excessive compensation burdens in the event of medical accidents.
The government-set compensation limit for medical accidents under the specialist standard is up to 1.8 billion won. Of this, 1.5 billion won (borne by the medical institution) is excluded, and 1.65 billion won is covered by insurance.
Previously, the focus was on obstetrics and gynecology for deliveries and some pediatric surgery, but starting this year, the scope of support is expanding.
Those eligible include obstetrics and gynecology specialists with delivery records; dedicated specialists at maternal and child health centers (severe, regional, and local); pediatric surgery, pediatric thoracic surgery, pediatric cardiology, and pediatric neurosurgery at hospitals and above; specialists at regional emergency centers participating in pilot projects to innovate the emergency medical system, including regional emergency centers at regional emergency centers, regional trauma centers, and pediatric specialty centers; and, for emergency medical institutions, not only emergency medicine but also other department specialists.
For residents, eight departments are eligible: internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, neurosurgery, and neurology.
The premium is about 1.75 million won per specialist per year, but with full state support, there is no burden on medical institutions. Residents are also covered up to 330 million won, with 20 million won borne by the medical institution and the remainder handled by insurance. The premium (300,000 won per person) is also fully covered by the state.
The government strengthened the system structure starting this year. The state fully supports the "high-payout liability insurance" segment beyond compulsory insurance. The Ministry said, "Medical institutions can enroll in high-payout liability insurance with only state-supported insurance without bearing additional premiums."
The system also includes special clauses. For institutions participating in the emergency medical pilot project, if enrollment is completed by July, the insurance effect will be applied retroactively to medical services provided since March 2026. For minor medical accidents, separate compensation support of up to 10 million won is provided, and if medical staff face criminal complaints or accusations, legal consultation and treatment costs for patient trauma are also supported.
Insurance enrollment applications are accepted from the 25th through Nov. 30. Renewal applications for existing enrollees run from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. Details can be found on the dedicated websites and call center (1600-1130) of the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency and the Korean Medical Association Organization Medical Liability Mutual Aid Association.
Minister Jung Eun-kyeong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "This program allows medical institutions to prepare for medical accidents without an extra expense burden," adding, "We expect it to serve as a safety net that benefits both medical professionals and patients."
The Minister said, "We will further solidify the medical accident compensation system by revising subordinate regulations under the Medical Dispute Mediation Act and improving the insurance system."