Perceptions of Government Subsidy Programs for Reimbursing Financial Losses of Hospitals due to COVID-19: An In-Depth Interview

Abstract

Purpose: The government of the Republic of Korea funded more than ￦15 trillion to healthcare providers to counter COVID-19. This study was conducted to examine the perception of the government funding program; to analyze it; and to explore its future direction to better prepare for upcoming pandemics.Methods: In-Depth Interview (IDI) was carried out of 16 subjects including doctors, policymakers, and professors from 7<sup>th</sup> June to 13<sup>th</sup> July 2021.Results: Every participant agreed that the subsidy made a huge contribution to preventing providers from bankruptcy and to stopping a collapse of healthcare system during the pandemic. However, different views occurred in the range of reimbursement. Providers recognized that it should have covered opportunity costs, extra expenses, and financial damage during the pandemic recovery. Whereas, the government perceived that the COVID-19 grant was enough to offset their financial damages. For future responses, most participants admitted that the program should be enhanced to be highly responsive to future pandemics. The standard of reimbursement needs to be eased to raise the funding rates; to reimburse more hospitals; and increase the compensation period and range.Conclusion: A pandemic like COVID-19 is highly likely to emerge more often forward. In a better response to future pandemics, it’s required to level up disaster response capability; to keep healthcare services well-functioning during the emergency; and restructure healthcare system to be resilient even after the pandemic. To this end, an increase in subsidies should be positively reviewed.