Introduction to the healthcare assurance system in South Korea

Abstract

It described the status quo of the healthcare system in South Korea, and the milestones of the country to achieve universal coverage of social medical insurance. The paper presented in focus the development from multiple social medical insurance funds to a universal social medical insurance system in South Korea, and analyzed those serious setbacks including monopolizing private medical organizations, lack of first-visit and referral system, and excessive percentage of personal payment, as a result of unparallel progress of the reform of medical insurance and that of healthcare system. Authors hope to be inspirational for the ongoing reforms in the social medical insurance system and healthcare system, in an effort to avoid likewise mistakes. Key words: Healthcare; Medical insurance; System; Fund; Introduction