Police have launched an investigation into 12 hospitals and clinics suspected of operating with so-called "payback" schemes that return part of medical fees to cancer patients.
The Korean National Police Agency said on the 15th that it received a request for investigation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare into 12 medical institutions suspected of medical fee paybacks, assigned the cases to dedicated investigative teams at the relevant regional police agencies, and ordered a swift probe.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, after controversy erupted over payback practices at medical institutions, formed a "task force on abnormal and sham treatments," received related tips, and conducted on-site inspections. As of the 13th, more than 50 tips had been received, and among them, medical institutions deemed highly credible and in need of investigation were referred to police.
These medical institutions are suspected of methods including medical fee refunds, operation of non-covered care packages, misuse of indemnity insurance, and offering cash or in-kind benefits.
Police allocated the cases by region, assigning five to the Daegu Police Agency, three to the Gwangju Police Agency, two to the Jeonnam Police Agency, and one each to the Seoul Police Agency and the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency.
Police said they plan to work closely with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to respond sternly to illegal acts that siphon off insurance funds until the end.