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[THE INVESTOR] The government has decided to cut its support for foreign workers’ medical costs starting next year due to a change in regulations, Health Ministry officials said on July 6.
Foreign workers are currently given free medical care at public hospitals on bills up to 10 million won (US$8,628) to treat illnesses they are diagnosed with while in Korea. The government pays for 80 percent of the amount in excess of 10 million won, and the workers 20 percent.
The support system was introduced in 2005 to help workers from overseas who had no health insurance benefits available to South Koreans through state or company medical programs. The Health Ministry estimates that it spent an annual 3 billion won on the support system.
Some policymakers, however, have argued that this system was unfair to local citizens who foot 30 percent of their hospital fees.
With regulation changes, foreign workers must pay for 20 percent of their total medical bills, and the government the remaining 80 percent. The cost-sharing will apply to medical bills of 5 million won or under, but exceptions can be made pending on recommendations from physicians, officials said.
(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)
Foreign workers are currently given free medical care at public hospitals on bills up to 10 million won (US$8,628) to treat illnesses they are diagnosed with while in Korea. The government pays for 80 percent of the amount in excess of 10 million won, and the workers 20 percent.
The support system was introduced in 2005 to help workers from overseas who had no health insurance benefits available to South Koreans through state or company medical programs. The Health Ministry estimates that it spent an annual 3 billion won on the support system.
Some policymakers, however, have argued that this system was unfair to local citizens who foot 30 percent of their hospital fees.
With regulation changes, foreign workers must pay for 20 percent of their total medical bills, and the government the remaining 80 percent. The cost-sharing will apply to medical bills of 5 million won or under, but exceptions can be made pending on recommendations from physicians, officials said.
(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)
