• Health Policy and Management
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2007

Limited coverage for health care services of National Health Insurance(NHI) in Korea has been ongoing policy issue but additional NHI financing through raising contribution or taxes in order to improve coverage faces substantial obstacles. Private health insurance(PHI) is often considered as an alternative financing source to improve coverage. Recent reform that attempted to stretch the role of PHI allowed life insurance companies to provide complementary PHI, indemnity plan which will pay for uncovered services by NHI and out-of-pocket spending for covered services. Although complementary PHI may relieve financial burden of patients, it may significantly raise NHI spending as well as total health expenditure since little out-of-pocket spending may increase utilization of health care. So far, there has not been enough discussion about concerns of potential adverse effect resulting from extended role of PHI. This study investigated potential increase of NHI spending followed by extension of complementary PHI through sensitivity analysis. The amount of NHI spending for services that would be covered by complementary PHI was calculated using 2005 NHI statistics and expected complementary PHI enrollment rate by age and sex. Expected utilization increases were obtained based on price elasticities$(-0.2{\sim}-0.5)$ from previous studies and expected coverage rate$(50{\sim}80%)$ of complementary PHI and then converted to monetary figures. Because coverage rate of complementary PHI has not been determined yet, we employed the sensitivity analysis using coverage rate of $50{\sim}80%$. Findings demonstrate that additional spending for health care services is expected to be $426{\sim}1,702$ billion won, corresponding amount payed by NHI $298{\sim}1,192$ billion won. In conclusion, since complementary PHI may raise NHI spending significantly, there should be an agreement whether this additional cost would be accountable and acceptable in our society. Potential inefficiency resulting from extended role of complementary PHI should be considered since public and private financing do not operate in isolation and there should be more discussion on proper role of PHI in Korea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.92-108
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• 2009

This study suggests a model for continuing and comprehensive management of hypertension or Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea. Moreover, this paper computed the contribution cost of hypertension or T2DM management using the healthcare medical cost, which could have occurred from stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that were successfully prevented from the effective hypertension or T2DM management. Additionally, these costs were compared with the cost of implementing the hypertension or T2DM management model suggested in this study. This study used the medical fee summary of the health insurance claims submitted to National Health Insurance Corporation by medical facilities for services provided during the period from January 1st 1999 to December 31st 2006. The prevalence rate with treatment referred to cases in which patients submitted their medical claims at least once during the period, along with an accordant diagnosis. The incidence rate with treatment referred to cases in which patients who never submitted claims for the accordant disease during the five years from 1999 to 2003 submitted claims for the accordant disease in 2004 and 2005. The relative risk of the occurrence of stroke, MI and ESRD was 11.0, 13.6, and 30.3, respectively. The attributable risk of hypertension or T2DM for stroke was 0.730, and that for MI and ESRD were 0.773 and 0.888, respectively. Based on these, the contribution cost of hypertension or T2DM is estimated to be 986.3 billion Korean Won(KRW) for stroke patients, 330.5 billion KRW for MI patients, and 561.7 billion KRW for ESRD patients as in 2005. Hence, the total contribution cost of hypertension or T2DM to stroke, MI, and ESRD is 1.878 trillion KRW. The estimate for operational costs included an annual expenditure of 50,000 KRW per each recipient and an annual subsidy of 0.22 million KRW per person for the 1.6 million low.income individuals with hypertension or T2DM to cover their out.of.pocket medical expenses. Under this assumption, it took approximately 0.6 trillion KRW to manage 5 million high.risk patients in the low. and mid.income range, coverings up to 50% of costs. In conclusion, considering the potential benefits of preventing stroke, MI, and ESRD, the costs seems to be reasonable.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.103-124
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• 2010

Objectives: The out-of-pocket payment (OOP) of the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) in Korea was investigated empirically in terms of its incidence, magnitude and factors influencing them. Methods: The subjects were sampled with stratified, randomized methods among medical institutions of which the number of monthly IACI claims exceeded its median as of May 2008. Out of 204 institutions selected, 118 institutions (57.8%) responded to this survey. A total of 24,826 episodes(2,457 inpatient and 22,369 outpatient episodes) were included in this analysis. The incidence and magnitude of OOP of IACI were calculated by characteristics of institution as well as patient. Factors that affected the incidence and magnitude of OOP were investigated through multi-level analysis. Results: The overall incidence of OOP of IACI was 9.9% (25.6% for inpatient and 8.2% for outpatient) and the percentage of OOP among total expenditures was 8.3% on average (7.6% for inpatient and 26.8% for outpatient); 25.2% at traditional oriental medicine hospitals, 9.5% at general hospitals and 2.5% at the industrial-accident-designated medical institutions. The incidence of OOP of IACI was influenced by hospital size, ownership, longer duration of designation (over 5 years) and length of stay. On the other hand, its magnitude was influenced by medium-sized hospital, public hospital, location of large city and length of stay. Extra charges for upper grade room which accommodates less than 4 patients and treatment by specialists were the leading contributors to the magnitude of OOP of IACI. Conclusion: The incidence and magnitude OOP of IACI varied in institution type and were influenced by both institutional and patient's factors. In order to achieve the goal of Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, appropriate level of compensation, that is, no incidence of OOP, for accident and disease of workers, it is necessary to take measures to reduce incidence and magnitude of OOP.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.28-38
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the medical expenditures for prostate cancer patients, including out-of-pocket costs, and compared the costs between androgen deprivation therapy and radical prostatectomy treatment. Methodology: This study combined clinical data from 357 prostate cancer patients from the Smart Prostate Cancer Database and the medical expenditure data from the claims and cost databases. We used the independent two-sample t-tests to compare androgen deprivation therapy and radical prostatectomy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify determining factors for androgen deprivation therapy and radical prostatectomy treatments. Findings: The medical costs of androgen deprivation therapy treatment were much lower than radical prostatectomy treatment at the one year and remained lower until the fourth-year. However, after four years, the accumulated medical expenditures of androgen deprivation therapy become significantly higher than radical prostatectomy treatment. Patients with a higher cancer stage and older age had higher chances of being treated using androgen deprivation therapy treatment than radical prostatectomy treatment. Practical Implications: Our results show that early detection of cancer reduces the treatment cost for both patients and insurance payers. It also demonstrates that cost comparisons should be conducted over long periods of time in order to most accurately assess the costs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.6 s.92
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• pp.65-74
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• 2006

The costs of owning car are accepted as a subscription fee for participating in car-oriented society and only direct out-of-pocket costs of driving are mostly considered, so that the efficient location with better accessibility to service facilities is often under-appreciated. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of accessibility to public transport and other service facilities on travel demand and transportation cost of household. The residential areas in Hamburg are categorized into 8 types according to level of public transport and other service facilities. The costs of owning and operating car in each residential area are calculated on the base of the household automobile ownership and usage analysed through the actual survey The result of this analysis shows that the transportation cost of household is decreased In proportion to the level of Public transport and other service facilities. This analysis finds the structure of residential area, which economize energy consume and makes household actual transportation cost saying Possible. The result of the analysis can be used as a tool for influencing home locaion choice towards Public transportaion corridors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.867-875
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychosocial factors influencing dairy product consumption of female university students in Daejeon. The Theory of Planned Behavior provided the basis for this study. As a result of the pilot-study, 18 behavioral beliefs, 8 normative beliefs, and 12 control beliefs were identified. The subjects (n=236) were grouped into a high-consumption group (1 serving/day, n=117) and a low consumption group (< 1 serving/day, n=119). The data were analyzed using t-tests or $\chi$$^2$-tests. Among the general characteristics, there were significant differences in the amount of pocket money spent per month, residence type (p<0.01), weight, frequency of exercise and perceived health status (p<0.05) of the subjects. With respect to the 18 behavioral beliefs, the high consumption group responded less negatively on ‘eating dairy foods would not be convenient’ than the low consumption group (p<0.05). None of the subjective normative items were significantly different between the two groups. However, notable differences were found in regard to the control beliefs (8 out of 12 control beliefs). These included overall control over consuming dairy products (p< 0.001), as well as specific beliefs regarding barriers such as easy spoilage of dairy products, the cost, eating them for snacks and dislike for them (p<0.05). In addition, specific situations, such as ‘when I want them I get them’ (p<0.01), eating out and the availability of dairy foods at home (p<0.05) were significantly different between the two groups. The high consumption group showed more control over these barriers or situations. These results suggest that nutritional education for young female adults should incorporate strategies to increase their perceived control over the consumption of dairy products by removing barriers and including environmental approaches which address the availability issues.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.4 s.48
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• pp.807-814
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• 1994

This study is to find out changes in medical practice at a university hospital before and after covering intraocular lens (IOL) from the health insurance benefit. The coverage started on March 1, 1993 and a total of 596 cases who were discharged from July 1 to December 31, 1992 and 580 cases who were discharged from July 1 to December 31, 1993 were analyzed. Since the standard reimbursement scheme was changed from March 1, 1993, the charges for 1992 were transformed into 1993 scheme. Major findings are as follows: Average length of stay was statistically significantly decreased from 8.24 days in 1992 to 6.86 days in 1993. Charges except IOL has been statistically significantly decreased from 501,000 Won in 1992 to 444,000 Won in 1993. Charges for drugs and injection have been reduced. However, charge per day for them was not much different. This is due to decrease in length of stay. Charges for laboratory tests and radiologic examination were quite the same. Charges which are not covered by the insurance remained the same. The revenue of the hospital was reduced as expected. However, the hospital reduced the length of stay and increase the turnover rate In order to compensate the potential loss of revenue due to the difference of reimbursement between the out-of-pocket expense and the insurance coverage. By introducing the IOL benefit in the insurance, the insured pays less, hospital generates more revenue through shortening the hospital stay, and the total medical care cost becomes less nationwidely.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.287-294
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• 2008

Objectives : To estimate the economic burden of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (VF) from a societal perspective. Methods : From 2002 to 2004, we identified all National Health Insurance claims records for women ${\geq}50$ years old with a diagnosis of VF. The first 6-months was defined as a "clearance period," such that patients were considered as incident cases if their first claim of fracture was recorded after June 30, 2002. We only included patients with ${\geq}$ one claim of a diagnosis of, or prescription for, osteoporosis over 3 years. For each patient, we cumulated the claims amount for the first visit and for the follow-up treatments for 1 year. The hospital charge data from 4 hospitals were investigated to measure the proportion of the non-covered services. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 106 patients from the 4 study sites to measure the out-of-pocket spending outside of hospitals. Results : During 2.5 years, 131,453 VF patients were identified. The patients had an average of 3.38 visits, 0.40 admissions and 6.36 inpatient days. The per capita cost was 1,909,690 Won: 71.5% for direct medical costs, 20.6% for direct non-medical costs and 7.9% for indirect costs. The per capita cost increased with increasing age: 1,848,078 Won for those aged 50-64, 2,084,846 Won for 65-74, 2,129,530 Won for 75-84and 2,121,492 Won for those above 84. Conclusions : Exploring the economic burden of osteoporotic VF is expected to motivate to adopt effective treatment options for osteoporosis in order to prevent the incidence of fracture and the consequent costs.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.401-410
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• 2017

This study aimed to identify appropriateness and efficiency in the DRG payment system by analysing the hospital length of stay and changes in fees before and after the application of DRG payment system. The subjects of the study were a total of 398 patients consisting of 204 for the fee for service system and 194 for the DRG payment system. They received surgery in the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGY) department of a general hospital in G metropolitan city between January and December 2013. The mean hospital length of stay was significantly decreased after application of the DRG payment system(p=0.013). Total fees, insurance charges, and deductions increased significantly(p<0.001), and non-payment charges and total deductions decreased significantly(p<0.001). Application of the DRG payment system reduced length of stay, non-payment charges and total patient's cost sharing and increased out-of-pocket, insurance charges, and total fees.

• Archives of design research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.7-20
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• 1992

Since 80th, in the monetary markets due to the escalation of creditable promptness dealing of financial goods, Korea monetary business has been confronted with structual contradictions. The first like a men power reduction, inorder to meet and satisfying with cost reduction policy of the holding firms and secondly, escalation and expention of business networks or facilities inorder to meet and satis~'ing with customers continuously seeking for prompt, acurate, and helpfulness service nearly like one similar to a door to door service. Accordingly, the firms eventually poured mere sweaty money into procuring such devices for upgrading. On the contrary, however, regardless the escalation monetary expenditure may be, inorder to promote quality of the same devices are keen necessary because present days customer groups were tended to receives ample service almost like door to door service without moving too$$\mu$h apart from the immediate spot where they belongs tl or veryspot of where actually they spend instead of deep consideration of natures, quality or sttractiveness of service medias what they can received from. Under the present circumstance, the financial business firms, however, would highly suffering and recei\ulcornerves pressures from imblalance natures ofincoming and out go of the business budget due to excessive inc1ease of managerial expences. For these reasons, therefor, in order to solves, compensates, improves, and developes most effective fina\ulcornerncial service for customers can use under most pleasant environment, the establishment of adequate standardization of such service devices based on the foregoing environmental circumstances. This analytical study, therefor, mainly aimed and emphasized based on pre- estimatimation of proper de\ulcornervlopment and use of the unattended servicing devices such as Cash Dispenser and Auto Teller Machine bygeneralization, automating. and innovation of design to meet compactness and door to door like convenient service for customers which can be achieved by performing constant comparative analysis and continual study toward development of such devices those of which produced by Five (5) major domestic producers aro~nd the country.