Non-covered medical services, which are not included in the national health insurance and thus borne entirely by patients, show significant price variations as hospitals set their own rates. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent government study has revealed startling disparities in the cost of medical procedures across South Korea, with some treatments varying in price by as much as 23 times between different healthcare providers.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) announced on September 5 that they would be publishing the results of their annual survey on non-covered medical expenses through the HIRA website.
Non-covered medical services, which are not included in the national health insurance and thus borne entirely by patients, show significant price variations as hospitals set their own rates.
This year’s survey, the fourth of its kind, examined 623 non-covered items across 70,562 medical institutions from April to June.
The study found that 65.7% of the surveyed items (334 in total) saw an increase in average cost compared to the previous year. Of these, 132 items experienced price hikes exceeding the annual inflation rate of 2.6% as of July this year.
Some of the most striking examples of price disparity were observed in various medical procedures. Multifocal lenses for cataract surgery showed a 23-fold difference, with prices ranging from 290,000 won to 6.8 million won between two clinics in Seoul. The median price was 2.2 million won.
Manual therapy also displayed significant variation, with the median price at 100,000 won, while a clinic in South Gyeongsang Province charged 260,000 won.
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for uterine fibroids saw prices vary from 2 million won to 18 million won, with a median of 8 million won.
Nasal valve reconstruction procedures showed a staggering 98-fold difference, ranging from 51,000 won to 5 million won. Even among clinics, prices varied from 200,000 won to 5 million won, with a median price of 1.73 million won.
Varicose vein surgery also exhibited substantial price disparities. Depending on the method, prices ranged from three to four times the median price, which was around 1.5 to 1.6 million won.
The government emphasized that these figures reflect only the procedure costs and that price differences may arise due to various factors such as treatment standards, complexity, personnel, and equipment.
Moving forward, the government plans to expand the provision of information on non-covered medical expenses that are of particular interest to patients.
For items with significant price disparities, officials are considering introducing measures to encourage appropriate pricing in consultation with the medical community.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
