• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.274-280
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the average cost and present status of non-benefit medical expenses by using the data of tertiary hospitals released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service(HIRA), and to compare the data to find cost variations. The target of analysis was the present status of the non-benefit medical expenses reported by 41 tertiary hospitals among the 44 previously designated hospitals (three were excluded due to revocation or new designation) for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 (until April). This study was conducted after approval of using the released data of the HIRA's data opening system. This study was analyzed by its general characteristics, annual non-benefit medical expenses by frequency analysis, and annual understanding of variation by designating Coefficient of Variation (C.V.). The research found out that the number of details of non-benefit medical expense was gradually increased: the numbers of categories were 51 in 2015, 53 in 2016, and 98 in 2017, but there was a rapid increase in 2018 by 193. As a result, to standardize non-benefit medical expense items across tertiary hospitals due to their variations in the expenses, the government should expand standardized non-benefit medical expenses and make it mandatory for medical institutions to use the standardized items or names of such expenses.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

Background: Selective health benefit was introduced for decreasing economic burden of patients. Medical devices with economic uncertainty have been covered as selective health benefit by National Health Insurance since December 2013. We aimed to analyze impact of selective health benefit to medical expenditure and provider behavior focused on electrosurgery (ultrasonic shears, electrothermal bipolar vessel sealers) for gastric cancer patients covered since December 2014. Methods: We used the National Health Insurance claims data of 2,698 patients underwent gastric cancer surgery between August 2014 and March 2015. Medical cost and patient sharing per inpatient day were analyzed to verify that covering electrosurgery increased medical expenditure and changed provider behavior from open surgery to endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery. Additionally, we analyzed the claim rate of medical device or goods relating gastric endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery. Results: Medical cost and patient sharing per inpatient day were increased after covering electosurgery as selective health benefit (39,724/1,421 won). However, there were no medical expenditure increases after adjusting claim of electosurgery and patient sharing was decreased 1,057 won especially. The coverage of selective health benefit did not increase the claim rate of medical device or goods related endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery, either. Conclusion: Covering electosurgery decreased patient economic burden and did not change of provider behavior. Expanding selective health benefit is needed to decrease economic burden of severe patients. Further study should evaluate the long term effect with accumulated data.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2022

Purposes: This study was to investigate intention to exercise the patient's right of self-determination on adopting the non-benefit medical services and was to identify factors associated with intention to self-determined decision. Methodology: A total of 1,000 adult respondents aged 20 to 65 years were recruited using stratified random sampling and surveyed by online. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with intention to self-determined decision using SAS 9.4(SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA). Findings: 61.9% of total participants(n=592) had intention to exercise patient's right of self-determination on adopting the non-benefit medical services. Significant differences were observed in the exercise of self-determination in relation to prior explanation and opportunity for self-determination. Practical Implications: This study suggested that explanation duty of provider might influence on increasing intention to exercise the patient's right of self-determination. Considering appropriate use of non-benefit services, it is important to enhance explanation duty of provider.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2024

Purposes: This study aims to analyze the correlation with the current status of the medical resident application rate, physician's income, and non-benefit rates of majors in each specialty subject and to suggest implications. Methodology: First, it analyzes the correlation between the medical resident application rate by specialty subject and the income of physicians. Second, it analyzes the correlation between the income of specialists and the non-benefit rate for each specialty subject at the clinic level. Findings: First, a significant positive correlation was found between the medical resident application rate and the average physician's income for each specialty subject (r=.718, p<.01). Second, a significant positive correlation was observed between physician income at the practitioner level by medical specialty and the non-benefit rate (r=.726, p<.01). Practical Implications: In this study, the correlation between medical resident application rate by specialty subject and physician's income, non-payment and physician's income was confirmed. Choosing a department that is less risky and can earn higher income is a natural phenomenon, but it is necessary to adjust the physicians crowding phenomenon to a specific specialty subject at the government level to maintain the medical system.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2022

South Korea is not a wasteland of publicly funded health care-instead, it has a good medical social security system known as the national health insurance (NHI). The NHI of Korea has three unique features; (1) low premiums, low insurance fees, and low coverage; (2) obligatory designation of medical institutions; (3) and allowance of non-benefit services. These features have made hospitals and doctors interested in profit-seeking. However, the commercialization of medical institutions has taken place in both private- and public-established sectors. A basic problem of commercialization is the co-existence of the obligatory designation of medical institutions and non-benefit services. The problem became worse in the Kim Dae-Jung government because it officially permitted non-benefit services. Since 2000, the Korean government has consistently pursued benefit extension policies, but the coverage rates of the NHI have stagnated. In addition, premiums and current medical expenses have markedly increased because policy-makers have emphasized accessibility to the NHI, while ignoring important principles of medical social security such as a needs-based approach and patient-referral system. In order to resolve the commercialization problem, the obligatory designation of medical institutions to the NHI should be changed to a contract system, and non-benefit services should be prohibited at NHI institutions. We must re-establish the patient-referral system via a needs-based approach. We also need to build a primary healthcare system and public health policies. We should make a long-term plan for healthcare reform.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.218-230
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the percentage of the oriental medical Ob & GY disease group in Korean Medical Health Insurance and to gain the basic data of enlargement and improvement of Acupuncture Benefits in the oriental medical Ob & Gy field. Methods: We requested data about the status of Insurance Benefits in 2005. 2006 to Health Insurance Review & Assessmenstatus Service(HIRA). And on the basis of this 2005. 2006 data, we analyzed the status of Insurance Benefits and Acupuncture Benefits in the oriental medical Ob & Gy disease group. Results: 1. Total health care benefit costs of Korean medical health insurance in 2005, 2006 took 4.38 percent and 4.25 percent of total health care benefit costs of Health insurance. 2. Total health care benefit costs of the oriental medical Ob & Gy disease group in 2005, 2006 took 0.38 percent and 0.40 percent of total health care benefit costs of Korean medical health insurance. 3. The percentage of Acupuncture benefits costs of the oriental medical Ob & Gy disease group in 2005, 2006 was merely 0.22 percent and 0.23 percent of total Acupuncture Benefits costs. 4. The main sick and wounded name of Ob & Gy diseases of Acupuncture Benefits was limited to Menstrual Disorder(K01)과- Uterus Abnormality(K13). Conclusion: The percentage of the oriental medical Ob & Gy disease group in Korean Medical Health Insurance was very low and the percentage of Acupuncture Benefits of he oriental medical Ob & Gy disease group was also very low. From now on, Searching ay of enlargement of Acupuncture Benefits in the oriental medical Ob & Gy field is required.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.295-305
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the economic efficiency of a community-based nursing care center to help policy makers determine whether or not to invest in similar facilities. Methods: The subjects were 101 elderly people over 65 years who participated in a health management program from February 1 to July 31, 2007. Direct cost was estimated with center operations cost, medical cost for out-patients and pharmacy cost. Indirect cost was measured by transportation cost. Direct benefit was calculated by saved medical cost for out-patients, saved pharmacy cost, saved transportation cost, and reducing hospital charges. Indirect benefit was estimated with prevention of severe complications. Economic efficiency was evaluated by cost-benefit ratio and net benefit. Results: Operating a community-based nursing care center was found to be cost-effective. Specifically, the cost of operating the center evaluated here was estimated at 135 million won while the benefit was estimated at 187 million won. Benefit-cost ratio was 1.38. Conclusion: The Community-based nursing care center that was described here could be a useful health care delivery system for reducing medical expenditures.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 2009

"Secret Works of Universal Benefit" was compiled by Lee Gyeonghwa(李景華, 1721-?) in Choseon Dynasty. Experience by Simple Formulae using Korean herbs in Secret Works of Universal Benefit was recorded Hangul name[鄕名], main medicinal effect and how to use etc. of 50 Korean herbs[鄕藥] to give aid to country people who didn't have medical knowledge. Secret Works of Universal Benefit have passed on traditional Korean medicine as selecting 50 Korean herbs and recording Hangul name. Though most of Experience by Simple Formulae using Korean herbs[鄕藥單方治驗] was quoted "Compendium of Matria Medica", it reflected developing of Korean traditional herb science[本草學] as selecting herbs, arranging frequent symptoms, changing main effect of herbs, and adding clinical experiences.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6177-6180
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• 2014

Background: Our study objectives were to evaluate the medical economics of cervical cancer prevention and thereby contribute to cancer care policy decisions in Japan. Methods: Model creation: we created presence-absence models for prevention by designating human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for primary prevention of cervical cancer. Cost classification and cost estimates: we divided the costs of cancer care into seven categories (prevention, mass-screening, curative treatment, palliative care, indirect, non-medical, and psychosocial cost) and estimated costs for each model. Cost-benefit analyses: we performed cost-benefit analyses for Japan as a whole. Results: HPV vaccination was estimated to cost $291.5 million, cervical cancer screening $76.0 million and curative treatment $12.0 million. The loss due to death was $251.0 million and the net benefit was -$128.5 million (negative). Conclusion: Cervical cancer prevention was not found to be cost-effective in Japan. While few cost-benefit analyses have been reported in the field of cancer care, these would be essential for Japanese policy determination.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2017

Background: This study aims to analyze the behavioral changes of healthcare providers and influencing factors after the reviewer unification of auto insurance medical benefit claims by an independent review agency. Methods: The comparison data were collected from the second half of 2013 and the same period of 2014. The key indicators are the number of admission days, the number of outpatient visits, inpatient ratio, inpatient medical expenses, and outpatient medical expenses. Results: Four indicators (number of admission days, number of outpatient visits, inpatient ratio, and outpatient medical expenses) showed statistically significant drops, while one indicator (inpatient medical expenses) showed no significant change. Conclusion: The reviewer unification of auto insurance medical benefit claims by an independent review agency showed significant reduction in cost and patient days.