• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that non-participation of physical therapists on the political decision-making committee results in invasion of their interests. Methods: To demonstrate the effects, we analyzed the change of medical insurance score decided by the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee between 2001 and 2012 years, focusing on medical examination as the interest of the participation group and physical therapy cost as interest of the non-participation group. Results: Total medical insurance cost increased by 23.72%, on average. Medical examination cost increased by 23.90% and 37.66% in medical examination for new and established patients, respectively. However, physical therapy cost was reduced by 5.01%. The medical examination cost for physical therapy without medical checkup increased by 2.62%. Conclusion: This study shows that the physical therapy cost, related on the interest of the non-participative group in the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee, rather decreased while the total medical insurance cost increased.These findings demonstrate the invasion of the non-participative group on the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee. Thus, aggressive participation in political decision-making committee is necessary in order to protect and increase rights and interests of Korean physical therapists.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.205-218
• /
• 2014

Background: Most studies on the national health insurance benefit expansion policy have focused on policy tools or decision-making process. Hence there was not enough understanding on how policies are actually implemented within the specific policy context in Korea which has a national mandatory health insurance system with a dominant proportion of private providers. The main objectives of this study is to understand the implementation process of the benefit coverage expansion policy. Unlike other implementation studies, we tried to examine both the process of implementation and decision making and how they interact with each other. Methods: Interviews were conducted with the ex-members of the Health Insurance Policy Review Committee. Medical doctors who implement the policy at the 'street-level' were also interviewed. To figure out major variables and the degree of their influences, the data were analyzed with Winter's Policy Implementation Model which integrates the decision making and implementation phases. Results: As predicted by the Winter model, problems in the decision making phase, such as conflicts among the members of committee, lack of applicable causal theories application of highly symbolic activities, and limited attention of citizen to the issue are key variables that cause the 'implementation failure.' In the implementation phase, hospitals' own financial interests and practitioners' dependence on the hospitals' guidance were barriers to meeting the policy goals of providing a better coverage for patients. Patients, the target group, tend to prefer physicians who prescribe more treatment and medicine. To note, 'fixers' who can link and fill the gap between the decision-makers and implementers were not present. Conclusion: For achieving the policy goal of providing a better and more coverage to patients, the critical roles of medical providers as street-level implementers should be noted. Also decision making process of benefit package expansion policy should incorporate its influence on the implementation phase.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.336-346
• /
• 2017

Background: Due to the asymmetry of information and knowledge and the power of bureaucrats and medical professionals, it is not easy for citizens to participate in health care policy making. This study analyzes the case of the insured organization participating in the Health Insurance Policy Committee (HIPC) and provides a basis for discussing methods and conditions for better public participation. Methods: Qualitative analysis was conducted using the in-depth interviews with the participants and document data such as materials for HIPC meetings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively sampled six participants from organizations representing the insured in HIPC. The meanings related to the factors affecting participation were found and categorized into major categories. Results: The main factors affecting participating in the decision making process were trust and cooperation among the participants, structure and procedure of governance, representation and expertise of participants, and contents of issues. Due to limited cooperation, participants lacked influence in important decisions. There was an imbalance in power due to unreasonable procedures and criteria for governance. As the materials for meetings were provided inappropriate manner, it was difficult for participants to understand the contents and comments on the meeting. Due to weak accountability structure, opinions from external stakeholders have not been well received. The participation was made depending on the expertise of individual members. The degree of influence was different depending on the contents of the issues. Conclusion: In order to meet the values of democracy and realize the participation that the insured can demonstrate influence, it is necessary to have a fair and reasonable procedure and a sufficient learning environment. More deliberative structure which reflects citizen's public perspective is required, rather than current negotiating structure of HIPC.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.6-11
• /
• 2010

Amid the rapid transitions in both local and international markets, the Korean dental industry is facing more challenges than at any time in its history. This paper tried to address some of the key issues faced by the industry as well as the policy issues and I direction of implementation that the Korean Dental Association (KDA) is expected to tackle. First, the direction of reforming the country's health insurance system was examined with emphasis on the expected changes in and improvement of the fee-for-service reimbursement system (FFSRS) and medical reimbursement system (MRS). With FFSRS, the most urgent issue would be ameliorating the current lop-sided, unreasonable reimbursement system that prevents suppliers from voicing their opinions. To help achieve that goal, the limited authority and responsibility of the president of National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) as one of the contract-making parties must be clarified. In addition, the functions of NHIC's Health Insurance Finance Committee must be restricted; at the same time, the panel organization of the Health Insurance Policy Review Committee needs to be reformed to embrace greater democracy. As with MRS, the government is considering a block budget bill to help promote efficiency in employing and managing the health insurance fund. Policymakers must understand that the implementation of such proposal could exacerbate an already dire situation. Improving MRS requires meeting the following preconditions: (a) the structurally vicious cycle of small charge-small salary needs to be resolved, and a certain percentage of fee raise must be guaranteed on a yearly basis to help adjust the fee system to a more realistic level; (b) the supply-and-demand balance in producing health care professionals must be improved including the prevention of oversupply of doctors, nurses, etc., and; (c) institutional strategies must be provided to enhance the quality of medical care and ensure academic advancement in health care disciplines.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.232-265
• /
• 1998

Taiwan has experienced rapid economic growth during the past two decades. As a result, the demand for health care in Taiwan has increased rapidly. To meet the rising demand, Taiwan implemented a National Health Insurance (NHI) program on March 1, 1995. This program now covers more than 96 percent of Taiwan's citizens. Implementation of the NHI in 1995 represents fulfillment of a primary social and health policy goals of Taiwan. The goals of the NHI program is to eliminate financial barriers of health care for the citizens, to improve the quality of care. To achieve these goals, the NHI was designed on the following principles: 1. All Taiwan citizens are compul내교 joined the NHI program by law; 2. The NHI program provides comprehensive services; 3. The NHI is run by one single govt' subsidy; 5. The NHI adopt fee-for-services scheme to pay medical expenses and copayment to avoid abouse of medical services. However, the scheme did not bring in the efficient use of health care C. National Health Council, 1986 NARC, Aging in Japan, International Publication Series 1991;2 Kahana EF. Kiyak HA. Attitude and behavior of staff in facilities for the aged, 1984 Naoki I, John CC. Health polic report japan's medical care system, New England Joumal of Medicine 1995; 333(19) National Economic Research Associates, The Health CAre System in Japan, NERA, 1993. National Federation of health Insurance Societies (KEMPOREM), Health Insurance and Health Insurance Societies in Japan, 1995. Owe Ahlund, Aging and housing in sweden, Paper presented at the International Symposium, Long term Care Facility, 1993. Statisitics Jahrbuch, Statistisches Bundesamt, 1992. Stein S. Linn, MIW. and Stein EM. Patient's anticipation of stress in nursing home care, 1985. U. S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, A Report of the special Committee on Aging, Washing D. C, 1992. U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1994.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-30
• /
• 2009

Korean medical fee contract system between the insurer and healthproviders was introduced in 2000. However, a continuous discord among contracting parties concerned and an irrational operation of an arbitration committee of Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs (MIHWAF) have made it difficult for them to reach to an agreement over last 8 years. The purpose of this study is to observe the current problems of contract system from the view of health insurance law and actual examples. Furthermore, I examined the of breakdown of negotiation by analyzing the eligibility of contracting parties, rationality of Resource Based Relative Value System (RBRVS) and contracting method and fairness of arbitration method in case of negotiation rupture. The results were as follows: First, since the introduction of medical fee contract system, there has been a problem in that both the president of National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) and health care provider association have not held strong negotiation power. Second, the frequent changes and notifications of Relative Value Units (RVUs) without any mutual consent between the insurer and provider association negatively have influenced the conversion factors and finally hindered the agreement of contract. Third, a current process that the conversion factors are mediated and determined at the arbitration committee of MIHWAF in the case of contract breakdown between contracting parties has some flaw in that the irrational composition of committee provoked the lack of fairness and objectivity of mediation. Fourth, we can not prospect a satisfactory outcome of arbitration committee because the mediation always has failed to proceed smoothly due to boycott of both committee members from insurer and providers over last 8 years. As a result, we have to make an every effort to resolve problems mentioned above and then dream of an advanced national health insurance system.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.38-47
• /
• 2020

Purposes: The problem in the recent immigration policy and social policy changes for foreigners is that the preliminary analysis or research on the actual impact of the influx of foreigners has not been done enough in Korea yet.. This study is to examine the impact of the Korean health insurance finances on the influx of foreigners. Approach: This study analyzed the health insurance statistics for foreigners and overseas Koreans of the Health Insurance Corporation from 2013 to 2017. The data is the "Status of Health Insurance Premiums for Nationals, Foreigners, and Overseas Koreans from 2013 to 2017" submitted by the National Health Insurance Service to the Health and Welfare Committee during the 2018 National Audit Period. Findings: To summarize the analysis, first, the proportion of foreigners was only 1% of all subscribers (1.7% at work, 1.9% in regions) until 2017. Second, employees at work have a lower pay-to-pay ratio, and local subscribers have a higher pay-to-pay rate, regardless of nationality. Third, as immigrants are mostly concentrated in younger ages, they are healthy and use of hospitals is relatively low. Fourth, in terms of gender distribution, there are many women of childbearing age due to marriage immigration among foreign local subscribers, and more men use hospitals than workers who have a high proportion of males due to childbirth. In conclusion, the impact of immigration on health insurance finances is not large, and has a positive effect on finances. Practical Implications: If we simply consider the financial aspect, encouraging foreigners to subscribe to health insurance has a positive effect on finances. In particular, the more foreign workers are enrolled, the greater the financial gain. In particular, increasing the employment of foreign women through language education, vocational training, and employment support will help finance health insurance. One of the reasons foreign subscribers have a positive impact on health insurance finance is the low medical utilization rate. It can be said that young and healthy foreigners use fewer hospitals and clinics, but another aspect means that foreigners have difficulty using health insurance for various reasons. Therefore, various supports must be accompanied so that foreign subscribers can use medical services when necessary.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2019

On May 1, 2019, the Minister of Health and Welfare announced publicly the first Comprehensive Plan of National Health Insurance (NHI). The Comprehensive Plan which is the 5-year plan including expenditure and revenue aspect of NHI, is desirable in 42 years of introduction of NHI and 30 years of universal coverage of NHI, though the Plan was late and had some conflict process. The Comprehensive Plan was established without evaluation of Moon's Care Plan, did not included to relationship with NHI and other health security systems, and did not have the blue print of NHI. The Plan was not sufficient in content of adequate health care utilization and relationship with service benefit and cash benefit. The Comprehensive Plan should be modified in considering the blue print of NHI and national healthcare system with participating stakeholder in turbulent environment-low fertility, rapid ageing, low economic growth rate, era of non-communicable diseases, unification of the Korean Peninsula, and 4th industrial revolution. Therefore, I suggest to establish the President's Committee of Improving Healthcare System for the blue print of health care and NHI.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2019

Background : Germany is the first country in the world to introduce modern systems of public health insurance, and the country which most widely uses complementary alternative medicine(CAM) in Europe. In early 21^st century, a large evaluation studies were conducted to include acupuncture in health insurance payments, which were eventually decided. Objectives : This study is to investigate and analyze the process of public policy determination on insurance coverage for acupuncture in German health insurance system. Methods : We collected the data and information through the literature search and from the websites of German government departments and health insurance organizations. To obtain contextual information, German experts of health insurance and acupuncture clinical study were interviewed. Results : As use of acupuncture had been growing, German public health insurers wanted to evaluate the validity of acupuncture coverage and sponsored three evaluation projects for clinical effectiveness of acupuncture using randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and pragmatic trials from 2001 to 2005. For some pain condition, acupuncture was founded not to be effective than sham acupuncture, but more effective than standard care. The federal joint committee of health insurance decided to cover acupuncture for chronic pain of lumbar spine and chronic pain in at least one knee joint due to gonarthrosis. Conclusions : Considering the controversial subject matter in the process of acupuncture's health insurance coverage in Germany, expanding the benefits of Korean medicine in Korea needs to come up with ways to overcome the difficulties of placebo effect, standardization and lack of literature evidence.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.76-91
• /
• 1998

Background : The purpose of this study was to understand general attitudes of physicians toward hospital quality improvement activities who have been members of QA committee in 32 Korean university hospitals. Methods : A postal survey about opinions of hospital quality improvement activities and desirable policy directions was sent to 328 QA committee member physicians. The questionnaires were composed of 48 items. In total 152 physicians responded to this survey(response rate: 49.3%). This study was carried out from January to February 1996. Results : Most physicians(97.5%) recognized the necessity of hospital QA activities. The most dominant supporting reason for quality activities was to improve clinical outcome. Two thirds of physicians regarded their own hospital activities for quality improvement as inactive. They considered that the obstacles were too little concern(33.6%), unclear objectives(28.9%), lack of human resources(14.3%), and insufficient education and training for quality improvement(10.1%). The most favoring policy among respondents was to give health care providers economic incentives. Provision of education and training for implementing quality improvement was the next to it. Physicians revealed their preferences for professional society, government, health insurance societies, consumer groups, hospital labor unions, and mass media in sequence as sponsoring agencies for hospital accreditation program. Conclusion : These study suggested that the concrete means for motivating physicians and promoting constructive partnership among related parties should be developed in order to activate current hospital quality activities in Korea.