The National Health Insurance Service finances posted a quarterly balance deficit of 4 trillion won in the first quarter this year. The NHIS finances had been in surplus for five years, but the likelihood has grown that they will turn to a deficit this year. That is because the pace of NHIS expenditure growth has accelerated due to population aging.
According to data titled "Status of health insurance fiscal balance" obtained by lawmaker Jeon Jin-suk's office on the Health and Welfare Committee from the health insurance service on the 9th, health insurance revenue in the first quarter this year totaled 22,441.6 billion won. Expenditure was 26,340.5 billion won. The quarterly balance posted a deficit of 3,898.9 billion won. The cumulative balance fell from 30,221.7 billion won last year to 26,322.8 billion won in the first quarter this year.
The NHIS finances ran deficits from 2018 to 2020 and maintained surpluses from 2021 through last year. However, with a deficit reaching 4 trillion won in the first quarter this year, the likelihood has grown that the annual NHIS finances will post a deficit. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, in formulating the 2024 2nd comprehensive National Health Insurance plan, projected that this year's NHIS quarterly balance would turn to a deficit.
This is analyzed to be because expenditure exceeded premium revenue and government NHIS support. The NHIS finances are affected by various variables, including the medical environment and NHIS policy. The health insurance service plans to review the fiscal impact on future revenue and expenditure and to conduct fiscal projections.