A new regulation set to take effect in August will require general hospitals and long-term care facilities to install dedicated “end-of-life” rooms. (Image courtesy of Korea BIzwire)
SEOUL, Jun. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – As nearly 8 out of 10 South Koreans spend their final moments in hospitals, a new regulation set to take effect in August will require general hospitals and long-term care facilities to install dedicated “end-of-life” rooms.
This move by the government aims to ensure a more dignified conclusion to life for patients in their final days.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 27, following the 13th National Health Insurance Policy deliberation committee meeting, that it will introduce new medical fee structures for these end-of-life rooms.
According to the ministry, the amended Medical Service Act, effective from August 1, mandates that general hospitals and nursing homes with more than 300 beds must install at least one end-of-life room.
This decision comes in response to data from Statistics Korea showing that 75.4% of South Koreans passed away in hospitals last year. Despite this high percentage, many medical institutions lack separate spaces for ensuring dignified end-of-life care.
Anticipating an increase in end-of-life cases and demand for hospice services due to the rapidly aging population, the ministry has decided to improve related medical fee structures.
Previously, single-occupancy end-of-life rooms were not covered by national health insurance. The new policy will reduce the financial burden on families using these facilities. For instance, the cost of using an end-of-life room in a tertiary hospital is expected to decrease from 436,000 won to 80,000 won (based on a 20% copayment for inpatients).
The government also plans to enhance compensation for “end-of-life care management fees” to promote team-based care involving doctors, nurses, and social workers for patients in the dying process and their families.
A ministry official stated, “As we anticipate entering a super-aged society next year, social interest in dignified death is growing. We hope that the introduction and improvement of these medical fees will lead to an expansion of infrastructure for life’s final stages.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
