Advancement of Research on Health Insurance Coverage to Include Packaged Medicinal Herbs

Resolution methods and step-wise approach to be induced

The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare is advocating the expansion of health insurance coverage to include herbal medicine, including items not currently covered such as herbal medicine (packed herbs), herbal acupuncture, and herbal preparations. In particular, the Ministry is researching the process to eventually include coverage for packed herbs within this year. To achieve this, the National Health Insurance Service has ordered associated research services to establish base work for coverage of packed oriental herbs as well as preparing pilot project methods. Given the high public demand for coverage of packed herbs, the National Health Insurance Service is planning to establish resolution methods and prepare step-wise strategies for coverage by identifying considerations in expanding the coverage of packed herbs via research projects.

The upcoming research project will cover:

△ Investigating and analyzing the status of domestic and overseas preparation of packed herbs and management criteria;

△ Identifying issues for reviewing coverage of packed herbs, as well as investigating status of preparation facilities; and

△ Establishing step-wise approaches for coverage of packed herbs and preparing pilot project methods for coverage.

Results from the research will be utilized to promote coverage of Korean Medicine by establishing a roadmap of countermeasures for each issue, providing evidence to resolve issues associated with the coverage of packed herbs, as well as providing data to support government policies for the expansion of healthcare insurance coverage to include Korean Medicine.