From February 1st, health insurance is applied to ultrasound examination for female genital organs such as uterus and ovaries. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), the number of patients with uterus-related diseases such as uterine myoma and polyp in women’s reproductive organs has been increasing continuously. The number of patients with uterine myoma which was 40,041 in 2018, has increased 7.8 percent annually from 2009. The number of patients with polyps in female reproductive tubes was 122,699 in 2018, and has increased 14.1 percent annually from 2009. Despite such an increase in the number of patients, insurance coverage was limited, requiring patients to pay more than 93% of the total medical expenses. According to the MOHW, *non-reimbursement came to 330 billion won, although uterine ovarian ultrasound is routinely implemented for examinations of common diseases of women, such as uterine myoma and polyps in women’s reproductive organs. Previously, the price of practices for ultrasound related to diseases averaged 47,400 won for clinics and 137,600 won for advanced general hospitals.

Starting in February, the initial diagnosis’s cost is reduced to half, resulting in a patient burden ranging from 25,600 won to 51,500 won. In addition, limited ultrasound tests performed for uterine ovaries procedures or post-operative observation is reduced to a quarter which ranges from 12,800 to 25,700 won for patients. Yoo Da-In (22, University Student) said, ”I heard that it`s good to visit the gynecologist regularly for a checkup, so I tried to get a regular checkup during the winter vacation. But I was afraid that it might cost a lot of money, so I kept putting it off. However, with the expansion of the health insurance coverage, I think I’ll be able to make a visit to the hospital with a comfortable mind.”

Ha Jung-Hwa (Research Committee Member, Busan Women and Family Development Institute) said, “Starting with health insurance covering female genital ultrasonography, it became possible to prevent various diseases related to gynecology at MOHW’s level. It is significant as it arranges a chance to guarantee women’s basic health rights."

*Non-reimbursement: Medical expenses that are not covered by medical insurance, which insured has to pay.

By Lee Chae-Young, Reporter

chaeyoung0702@pusan.ac.kr