• 의료법학
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.123-164
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• 2014

Under the new system of 'Separation of pharmaceutical prescription and dispensing' in Korea, which was implemented in 2000, physician could not dispense a medicine, and outpatient should have a physician's prescription filled at a drugstore. After pharmacist makes up outpatient's prescription, National Health Insurance Service(NHIS) pay for outpatient's medicine to pharmacist, except an outpatient's own medicine charge. And NHIS only pay for outpatient's prescription fee to physician and, physician doesn't derive profit from dispensing medicine in itself. Nevertheless, if physician writes out a prescription with violation of 'Criteria for the Medical Care Benefits', NHIS clawed back the payment of outpatient's prescription and medicine from the physician or the medical institution which the physician belongs to. In the past, NHIS's confiscation was in accordance with 'the National Health Care Insurance Act, Article 52, Clause 1'. But, since 2006 when the Supreme Court declared that there was no legal basis on the NHIS's confiscation of outpatient's medicine payment, NHIS had put in a claim for illegal prescriptions on the basis 'the Korean Civil law, Article 750(tort)'. So, Many medical institutions filed civil actions against NHIS. The key point of this actions was whether the issuing outpatient prescriptions with violations of Criteria for the Medical Care Benefits constitute of the law of tort. On this point, the first trial and the second trial took different position. Finally the Supreme Court acknowledged the constitution of the law of tort in 2013. In this paper, the author will review critically the decision of the Supreme Court, and consider the relativeness between the legal effect of Criteria for the Medical Care Benefits and the constitution of the issuing outpatient prescriptions with violations of Criteria for the Medical Care Benefits as the law of tort.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.75-83
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• 2006

Background : Utilization review has been adopted as a vehicle for cost and utilization control of health care services. Its role was further stressed and expanded through the establishment of Health Insurance Review Agency in 2001. This article is to introduce concept, activities, and effect of utilization review based on the experiences of U.S. and to suggest important characteristics for ideal utilization review activities at the national level in Korea. Method : Twenty-five articles related with utilization review were reviewed after being selected through web site search through Med Line and Richis. Result : Utilization review was introduced mainly for health care expenditure control either by insurer, provider or the third parties under the pressure of increasing health care cost. It's activities can be categorized to prospective, concurrent and retrospective review according to the time of service provision. Based on most of studies, utilization review has been effective in controling rising health care cost and utilization. However it's effectiveness assumes a reimbursement structure of managed care like capitation payment. More worse, it is still unknown it's effectiveness on quality of care. Conclusion : Utilization review should be employed to increase the cost effectiveness of medical care by optimizing quality and patient's outcomes while also attempting to reduce the use of resources. So, it should consider outcomes before expenditures, check for both under and over-use, and construct an structure in which consumption is reduced equitably. Aggressive adoption of utilization review in Korean health care setting with fee-for-service reimbursement structure might not be a cost-effective approach before adoption of prospective payment system such as D.R.G. and capitation.

• 한국융합학회논문지
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.99-106
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• 2018

본 연구는 인구 고령화에 따라 증가하고 있는 안과 질병군(DRG)포괄수가 수정체 수술 환자를 중심으로 질병군(DRG)포괄수가 적정성 평가도입에 따른 수술합병증 발생률 변화를 파악하고자 시행하였다. 연구대상은 2016년 1월부터 12월까지 1년간, 전국소재, 전 종별(상급종합병원, 종합병원, 병원, 의원)에서 청구하는 질병군(DRG)포괄수가 수정체 수술 환자의 건강보험 및 보훈 진료비용이다. 본 연구에서 종속변수는 '유리체탈출', '안압상승', '기타합병증'으로 세 가지 항목을 포함하고 있어 다항로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시하였으며 분석결과 기타합병증군에 비해 유리체탈출군이 재원일수가 늘어날수록 0.27배(95% CI 0.08~1.00), 안압상승군은 0.14배(95% CI 0.03~1.59) 줄어들었고 이는 통계적으로 유의하였다. 이상과 같은 결과 질병군(DRG)포괄수가 적정성 평가 도입에 따른 수정체 수술 합병증 환자를 대상으로 질병군 적정성 평가 결과와 질병군 수술 합병증의 의료의 질을 비교를 하였다는 점에서 의의가 있다.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-21
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• 1997

In order to analyze the shifts in the volume and profits of Computed Tomography(CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) utilization for a year before and after the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, this study has been undertaken examining CT and MRI cost data from 'Y' University Hospital situated in Seoul, Korea. Following are the results of this study: 1. The medical insurance payment for CT, implemented on January 1, 1996, increased CT utilization from January 1996 to April 1996 due to low insurance premiums: however, from May 1996 the number of CT cases significantly decreased as a result of strengthened medical cost reviews and the new 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' announced near the end of April 1996 by the insurer. 2. Since the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT fee reduction rates for reimbursements by the insurer to the hospital were 50% and 40% for January and February, respectively, and 31% and 15% for March and April. A significant point in the lowering of the reduction rate was reached in May at 11%; furthermore, since June the reduction rate fell below the average reduction rate for reimbursements for all procedures. If the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' had been announced before the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT utilization would not have been so high due to the need to meet those 'standards'. In addition, loss of hospital profits resulting from the reduction for reimbursements would not have occurred. 3. The shifts in MRI utilization showed that there was no particular change with the beginning of insurance coverage for CT, and the introduction of the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' made MRI utilization increase because MRI is free of restrictions imposed by the insurer. 4. The relationship between CT utilization and MRI utilization showed that they were supplementary to each other before insurance coverage for CT, but that CT was substituted for MRI because of strengthened medical cost reviews after t~e beginning of insurance coverage for CT. 5. The shifts in volume by patient characteristics showed that the number of inappropriate case patients, according to the insurer's "Standards for approval", decreased more than the number of appropriate case patients after the introduction of insurance coverage for CT. Therefore, the health insurance fee schemes for CT have influenced patient care. 6. The shifts in profits from CT utilization showed a net profit decrease of 31.6%. In order to match the pre-coverage profit level, 5,471 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 32.7%. This profit decrease resulted from a decrease of CT utilization and low reimbursements. With insurance coverage, net profits from CT were 24.4%, and a margin of safety ratio was 39.6%. Because of the net profits and margin of safety ratio, CT utilization fees for insured appropriate cases could not be considered inappropriate. 7. The shifts in profits from MRI utilization before and after the introduction of CT coverage showed that in order to match pre-CT coverage profit levels, 2,011 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 9.2%. The reasons for needing to increase the number of cases and productivity result from cost burdens created by adding new MRI units. But with CT coverage already begun, MRI utilization increased. Combined with a minor increase in the MRI fee schedule, MRI utilization showed a net profit increase of 18.5%. Net profits of 62.8% and a 'margin of safety ratio' of 43.1% for MRI utilization showed that the hospital relied on this non-covered procedure for profits. 8. The shifts in profits from CT and MRI utilization showed the net profits from CT decreased by 2.33billion Won while the net profits from MRI increased by 815.7million Won. Overall, these two together showed a net profit decrease of 1.51billion Won. The shifts in utilization showed a functional substitutionary relationship, but the shifts in profits did not show a substitutionary relationship. From these results, We can conclude that if insurance is to be expanded to include previously uncovered procedures using expensive medical equipment, detailed standards should be prepared in advance. The decrease in profits from the shifts in coverage and changes in fees is a difficult burden that should be shared, not carried by the hospital alone. Also, a new or improved fee schedule system should include revised standards between items listed and the appropriateness of the fee schedule should constantly be ensured. This study focused on one university hospital in Seoul and is therefore limited in general applicability. But it is valuable for considering current issues and problems, such as the influence of CT coverage on hospital management. Future studies will hopefully expand the scope of the issues considered here.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.195-196
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• 2018

The Korean Academy of Health Policy and Management (KAHPM) has shown remarkable achievements in the field of health policy and management in Korea for the last 30 years. The KAHPM consists of experts in various fields of health policy and management, and has been the leading academic discussion forum for health policy agendas of interest to the public. Health Policy and Management (HPM), the official journal of the KAHPM, published the first issue of volume 1 in October, 1991 and is publishing the second issue of volume 28 as of 2018. Currently, it is one of Korea' main journals in the field of health policy and management. HPM has published a special issue in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the KAHPM. The HPM invited authors, including former presidents of the KAHPM and current board members, to write about main issues in health policy and management. Although the HPM tried to set up an invited author on all subjects in the health policy and management field, 19 papers are published, that completed the peer review process by August, 2018. The authors of the special issue of the 30th anniversary of the KAHPM include six former presidents, a senior professor, and 12 board members. The subjects of this issue are reform of the healthcare delivery system, health insurance and medical policy, reform of health system governance, the role of National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) and the National Evidence-based healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA), ethical aspects of health policy change, regional disparities of healthcare, healthcare accreditation, new healthcare technology evaluation system, globalization of the healthcare industry, the epidemiological investigator system, the quarantine system, safety and disaster, and official development assistance. There are some remaining topics to deal with for the KAHPM: aged society, anti-smoking, non-infectious disease, suicide, healthcare resources, emergency medical care, out-of-pocket money, medical fee payment system, medical aid system, long-term care insurance, industrial accident compensation insurance, community-centered health welfare system, and central government and local government of health. The HPM will continue to publish review articles on the main topics in health policy and management. This is because the KAHPM, which has been the leading academic society of Korea's health policy and management for the last 30 years, feels responsible for continuing its mission for the next 30 years.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.185-196
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• 2015

Background: Issues concerning with the classification accuracy of Korean Outpatient Groups (KOPGs) have been raised by providers and researchers. The KOPG is an outpatient classification system used to measure casemix of outpatient visits and to adjust provider risk in charges by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service in managing insurance payments. The objective of this study were to refine KOPGs to improve the classification accuracy and to evaluate the refinement. Methods: We refined the rules used to classify visits with multiple procedures, newly defined chemotherapy drug groups, and modified the medical visit indicators through reviews of other classification systems, data analyses, and consultations with experts. We assessed the improvement by measuring % of variation in case charges reduced by KOPGs and the refined system, Enhanced KOPGs (EKOPGs). We used claims data submitted by providers to the HIRA during the year 2012 in both refinement and evaluation. Results: EKOPGs explicitly allowed additional payments for multiple procedures with exceptions of packaging of routine ancillary services and consolidation of related significant procedures, and discounts ranging from 30% to 70% were defined in additional payments. Thirteen chemotherapy drug KOPGs were added and medical visit indicators were streamlined to include codes for consultation fees for outpatient visits. The % of variance reduction achieved by EKOPGs was 48% for all patients whereas the figure was 40% for KOPGs, and the improvement was larger in data from tertiary and general hospitals than in data from clinics. Conclusion: A significant improvement in the performance of the KOPG was achieved by refining payments for visits with multiple procedures, defining groups for visits with chemotherapy, and revising medical visit indicators.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.555-577
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• 1989

각급 의료기관에서 정상분만 개조와 제왕절개 분만시 시행하는 임상병리 검사 와 시술 그리고 투약의 종류, 입원기간, 의료비를 비교하여 봄으로써 적정진료에 대한 평가와 적정의료비에 대한 연구의 방향 설정에 필요한 자료를 얻고저 1989년 1월 15일부터 2월 15일 사이에 1개직할시내 2개 대학병원, 2개 종합병원, 3개 병원, 2개 개인산부인과의원 그리고 2개 조산소에서 분만한 산모 789명을 대상으로 의무기록지와 의료비 계산서를 이용하여 임상병리검사, 투약, 입원기간, 입원비 등을 비교분석 하였다. 총 분만건수 중 정상분만은 606명(76.8%)이었고 제왕절개분만은 183명 (23.2%)이었다. 정상분만의 경우 CBC, Hb/Hct, 혈액형검사, 매독검사(VDRL), B형 간염 항원 및 항체검사, 그리고 소변검사는 각 의료기관에서 일률적으로 시행하였으나 개인의원과 조산소에서는 B형간염 검사와 Hb/Hct 검사를 전혀 하지 않은 곳도 있었다. 그 외 1개 대학병원에서는 71.4%에서 초음파 검사를 하였고 또 1개 종합병원에서는 76.7%에서 간기능 검사를 시행하였다. 제왕절개분만의 경우는 정상분만시 실시하는 검사 이외에 대부분 흉부X-선 촬영과 출혈시간 및 혈액응고시간 그리고 간기능 검사를 일률적으로 시행하였다. 시술에 있어서는 각 의료기관이 정상분만시 97.2%에서 회음부절개를 시행하였다. 정상분만 및 제왕절개분만시 투여한 수액과 항생제의 종류와 기간에도 의료기관 사이에 큰 차이를 나타내었다. 즉, 어떤 대학병원은 제왕절개 분만 후 전혀 항생제를 쓰지 않는 반면 어떤 종합병원과 병원에서는 모든 환자에게 1-2종의 항생제를 평균 1주일 정도 투여하였다. 또 어떤 의원에서는 제왕절개 분만시 모든 환자에게 전혈을 수혈하는 곳도 있었다. 이 외에도 의료기관에 따라 비타민제제, 지혈제, 자궁수축제, 진통제, 해열제, 소염제, 진정진경제, 소화제, 변비완화제, 항히스타민제, 이뇨제 등을 투여하는 빈도와 약품종류가 다양하였다. 입원기간에 있어서는 정상분만의 경우 평균 입원기간이 초산은 2.6일, 경산은 2.4일로 초산이 경산보다 약간 길었으며 어떤 병원에서는 3.5일로서 약간 긴 경우도 있었으나 대체로 비슷한 양상이었다. 제왕절개 분만에 있어서는 평균 입원기간이 초산 7.5일, 경산 7.6일로 별다른 차이는 없었다. 그러나 의료기관에 따라 가장 짧은 것은 6.5일에서 가장 긴 것이 9.4일로 차이가 났다. 평균 입원비는 일반환자인 경우 정상분만의 초산 비용은 182,100원이었고, 경산은 167,300원이었다. 의료보험인 경우 본인 부담액이 초산은 82,400원, 경산은 75,600원이었으며 제왕절개분만은 일반환자 초산인 경우 946,500원, 경산은 753,800원이었고, 의료보험인 경우 초산은 256,200원, 경산은 253,700원이었다. 대학병원간에도 정상분만 비용이 268,000원과 350,000원으로 큰 차이를 보이며 제왕절개 분만의 경우에도 각 의료기관별로 차이를 나타내고 있다. 이와 같이 의료기관에 따라 정상분만과 제왕절개분만시 임상병리검사, 투약 등에 큰 차이를 나타내고 입원기간에도 차이가 있어 결과적으로 의료비에도 큰 차이를 나타내고 있으며 어떤 기관에서는 포괄수가제를 적용하고 있는 곳도 있었다. 따라서 적정의료 제공을 위해 진료의 내용을 어느 정도 표준화 할 필요가 있다고 생각한다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.31-36
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• 1984

In order to know about the utilization of health subcenter in a Korean rural community, a study was carried out through analyzing the records on the outpatients in Su-Dong Health Subcenter during 5 years from 1978 to 1982, and the following results were obtained. 1. The annual utilization rate of health subcenter of Su-Dong Myun showed decreasing tendency such as 946.6 in 1978, 886.4 in 1979, 736.5 in 1980, 708.3 in 1981 and 609.1 in 1982 per 1,000 people. 2. In terms of annual utilization rate of health subcenter by sex, utilization rate of female was higher than that of male such as in 1978 (male 908.6, female 986.3), 1979 (male 819.2, female 956.7) and 1981 (male 686.0, female 731.5) except 1980(male 790.0, female 683.3) and 1982(male 632.7, female 585.0). 3. Every year the 5 major diseases of the new patients cared in health subcenter were the same as follows; Diseases of the Respiratory System, Diseases of the Digestive System, Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Accident Poisoning and Violence, and Diseases of the Nervous System and Sensory Organ. 4. In terms of annual utilization rate of health subcenter by age, utilization rate of $0{\sim}4$ year group was highest every year such as 3,666.0 in 1978, 3,232.5 in 1979, 2,819.0 in 1980, 2,361.4 in 1981 and 2408.7 in 1982 per 1,000 people. 5. The average visiting times per case to health subcenter were not much different every year such as 1.75 times in 1978, 1.79 times in 1979, 1.69 times in 1980, 1.79 times in 1981, and 1.80 times in 1982. 6. The monthly utilization rates per 1,000 people of health subcenter had two peaks in February(40.9 in 1980 and 86.4 in 1981) and July(84.6 in 1980 and 72.1 in 1981) except 1982. 7. The distribution of new patients by the source of medical fee payment was follows; community health organization member 86.9%, medicaid program 6.5%, and medical insurance 6.6% in 1980 and community health organization member 76.8%, medicaid program 11.4%, and medical insurance 11.8% in 1981 and community health organization member 78.2%, medicaid program 14.8% and medical insurance 13.2% in 1982.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.164-176
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• 1998

This study deals with the current medical utilization for migrant workers and the characteristics of them. The purpose of this study is to provide the basic information to establish proper medical policy. For the study self-made questionnaire was used, which was answered by 453 migrant workers working in the area of manufacturing and non-technical work in 10 cities like Seoul, Inchon, Namyangju, Sungnam, Kwangju, Pyungchon, Kunpo, Kimpo, Masuk in Kyungki-do and Chunan in Chungchungnam-do. Besides, 303 medical records of those who had visited free medical check-up center were analyzed. The period of accumulating data is 6 months, from November 1st, 1996 to April 30th, 1997. The characteristics of migrant workers and current medical utilization are analyzed by percentage and the relation between characteristics and current medical utilization were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. The finding of this study was as follows : 1) The number of nationality was 16. The first majority was Philippians as 32.0%. Among 16 nationalities Southeastern and Northern Asians were 48.9%, Southwestern Asian was 46.5%, the rest was 7.3%. Men were 81.0%, those who are aged from 26 to 30 were 39.0%, Graduatee from high school 92.7%, Christians 56.3%, unmarried 55.4% and salary from 600,000 Won to 800,000 Won 53.8% averaging monthly payment 669,810 Won. As for their residence, those who resided over 3 years were 31.9% and the illegal residence reached 77.4%. As for Korean language, those who speak in middle level were 5.6%. 2) As for kind of work and circumstances, manufacturing was 81.1%, 4 off-days per month 72.2% and 9-10 working hours per day 42.1%. As for accommodation, residence in fabric was 62.6% and one or two members as roommate 40.2%. 3) The characteristics of health behavior showed that 89.4% of migrant workers had 3 meals, 70.9% of them did not drink alcohol, 73.5% of them did not smoke. 4) As a characteristic of health status, 71.8% of them perceived of their health. 76.1% thought that they had no illness before coming Korea. Among them who recognized their illness, those who had problem in circulatory system was 35.3%, respiratory system ENT 19.1% and nervous system 19.1%.66.2% of those having illness had already had sickness when coming to Korea. 5) During last one month, 79.2% of them were known as ones having no illness. Among the sick, those who had problem in circulatory system was 31.6%, nervous system 23.7% and respiratory system 21.1%. 60.3% of the sick were not cured at that time. 6) Sorting the symptom of those who visited free medical check up, dental care was 24.2%, orthopedic 14.0% and digestive system 13.8%. Teethache was 34.4%, stomach problem 11.6%, upper respiratory inflammation 10.2% and back pain 5.9%. Averagely they visited free medical check up 1-2 times. According to symptom, epilepsy 25.5 times, heart and vascular disease 9 times, constipation 2.8%, neurosis 2.38 times and stomach problem 2.34 times. 7) The most frequently visited medical service by migrant workers was hospital. The most mentioned reason was good healing as 36.3%. The medical service satisfied migrant workers mostly was hospital as 64.3%. The reason of satisfaction was also good healing as 45.9%. 8) 77.2% of respondents did not spend money for medical check. Average monthly medical cost was 25,100 Won, 3.7% of income. Those who had no medical security was 73.4%. In their case, 67.7% got discount from hospital or support from working place and religious organization. 9) As for the difference of medical utilization according for the characteristics of migrant workers, legal workers and no-Korean speaker used hospital more frequently. 10) Those who were satisfied most of all with the service of hospital were female workers, hinduists and buddhists, legal workers or manufacture workers. 11) Christians, those who have 3 meals or recognize themselves as healthy ones mostly had no illness. As a result, the most of migrant workers in Korea are from Asia. They are good educated but are working in manufacturing and illegal. Their average income is under 700,000 Won which in not enough for medical cost. They have no medical security and medical fee is supported by religious organization or discounted. Considering these facts the medical policy by government is to be established.

• 종양간호연구
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the actual care costs paid to Korean Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses (KOAPN). Methods: We collected data using a group discussion and questionnaire identified 115 tasks from job descriptions developed by the Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing. Forty-two KOAPN working at three university hospitals in Seoul were asked to evaluate each task as to type and whether the cost is paid or not. They were also asked to indicate the tasks in urgent need of development of a care cost with high priority. Results: Only five tasks (4.3%) related to treatment and complication related interventions or education were paid, and they were paid only once during the entire treatment period and were not covered by national health insurance. It was approved as a medical fee by health insurance review & assessment service. Furthermore, the names of the authority (doctor) and the actual provider (nurse) of the prescriptions were different for three of those tasks. Most of the suggested tasks needing development of care costs were actions specifically performed by nurses (physical-psychosocial-spiritual assessment, independent nursing interventions). Conclusion: KOAPN are currently paid for few tasks. To maximize the utilization of KOAPN, the establishment of a clear rational payment system directly related to their actual activities is needed.