Foreign Country Analysis-South Korea

Foreign Country Analysis-South Korea

OECD.org (2020) reports that life expectancy in South Korea has increased over the past decades. In 2017, its life expectancy was higher than the average life expectancy of the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (OECD.org, 2020). The leading causes of death in South Korea are Alzheimer’s, lung and hepatic cancer, stroke, and ischemic heart disease (OECD.org, 2020). It is worth noting that tuberculosis (TB) has a higher burden in South Korea than in other OECD members. For instance, it records an average TB-related mortality rate of 6 per 100,000 persons annually compared to an average of 1 per 100,000 persons among the member states of the OECD (OECD.org, 2020).

Organizational Structure

OECD.org (2020) reports that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) is involved in the planning and formulation of health policies. It oversees the operation of specialty hospitals across South Korea (OECD.org, 2020). For instance, the MoHW oversees the operation of about twenty psychiatric and tuberculosis hospitals in South Korea (OECD.org, 2020). Furthermore, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) provides and manages health insurance at the national level in South Korea (Columbia.edu, n.d.). Regional governments are in charge of healthcare facilities at the subnational level (Columbia.edu, n.d.). Furthermore, at least one public health center is established in every municipality (Columbia.edu, n.d.). Public healthcare centers offer primary healthcare services such as routine medical check-ups and maternal healthcare (OECD.org, 2020). Additionally, sub-health centers are established based on the unique needs of the target population. Private healthcare facilities are covered and monitored by the NHIS (OECD.org, 2020).

Health Insurance

GSU.edu (2021) reports that the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) provides health insurance in South Korea. Various historical happenings have impacted health insurance. They include enacting the Medical Insurance Act, introducing mandatory healthcare coverage for companies with more than five hundred employees, universal healthcare coverage, and establishing a single insurer (OECD.org, 2020). Co-payments are dependent on the type of healthcare service provided. For instance, inpatient services attract up to twenty percent co-payments, while outpatient services attract thirty to sixty percent (GSU.edu, 2021). The co-payments and insurance of the low-income population are provided by the Medical Aid Program (Columbia.edu, n.d.). This accounts for about 2.8 percent of the population, whereas the remaining 97.2 percent is covered by the NHIP (GSU.edu, 2021). Examples of services provided by the NHIP include diagnostic, treatment, dental care, curative, emergency care, preventive care, and pharmaceutical services.

Internations.org (n.d.) reports that private health insurance complements and supplements the NHIP. Data indicates that more than 86 percent of the population in South Korea has private health insurance (OECD.org, 2020). This is attributed to the high co-payments that accompany the NHIP. In 2017, more than 34 percent of healthcare costs were settled by out-of-pocket payments (OECD.org, 2020). The NHIP is managed by the NHIS. The NHIS determines the eligibility criteria for providing insurance (OECD.org, 2020). Also, it manages the payments of benefits and the collection of contributions (OECD.org, 2020). Furthermore, it implements preventive programs to optimize the insured population’s health. Additionally, it partners with healthcare providers to negotiate and determine healthcare costs (OECD.org, 2020).

Kyoung and Kim (2022) report that the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) works with the NHIS to manage the NHIP. Notably, HIRA determines the codes and prices of medical devices, assesses the quality of care, and manages and reviews the utility of drugs (Kyoung & Kim, 2022). Also, HIRA tracks about 90 percent of the South Korean population to determine their medical history, diagnoses, and treatment plans (Kyoung & Kim, 2022). By so doing, HIRA monitors the quality of care and provides feedback to the associations of healthcare providers.

Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI)

Kim and Kwon (2021) report that LTCI was established in 2008. It targets the elderly population with limited physical mobility. The eligibility criteria entail people aged above 65 years and those with medical conditions such as cerebrovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia (Kim & Kwon, 2021). Beneficiaries are allowed to select between home-based and institutional care provided by LTCI. Institutional care is provided by nursing homes and other facilities that offer long-term care services (Kim & Kwon, 2021). Home care entails services such as bathing, nursing personal care, and the provision of assistive devices. In 2017, more than 585,000 people were receiving LTCI services (Kim & Kwon, 2021). About 70 percent of this population was enrolled in homecare services, whereas 30 percent was enrolled in institutional care (Kim & Kwon, 2021). The Elderly Care Program (ECP) is the other type of LTCI (Kim & Kwon, 2021). The ECP is financed by tax-payers and operated by local governments and targets individuals who do not qualify for the LTCI.

Primary Care System

OECD.org (2020) reports that South Korea lacks an elaborate primary care system because hospital care is prioritized. Their healthcare system allows patients to access specialty care in the community and hospitals without the need for referral (Harzheim et al., 2020). A referral is only mandatory when visiting tertiary healthcare facilities (OECD.org, 2020). The ease of accessing specialty care has resulted in high incidences of medical consultations (Harzheim et al., 2020). The presence of public health centers provides an avenue for primary healthcare to local communities. 90 percent of medical facilities in South Korea are privately owned (OECD.org, 2020). On the other hand, most health centers are public institutions. The low-income population and the elderly are the key beneficiaries of public institutions (OECD.org, 2020).

Public Health Centers

OECD.org (2020) reports that South Korea has more than 3540 public health centers (PHCs). It is worth noting that the Ministry of Interior and Safety is in charge of recruiting healthcare providers and organizing public health centers (OECD.org, 2020). On the other hand, the MoHW oversees these health centers (Internations.org, n.d.). PHC accounts for about 2.5 percent of outpatient visits. This implies that the majority of outpatient visits occur in private clinics. PHC plays a key role in providing care to remote populations.

Essential Public Health Operations

Vaccination is considered an essential component of preventive care. South Korea has a national immunization program that targets different populations. For example, sixteen vaccinations are recommended for children aged below 12 years (OECD.org, 2020). It is estimated that 98 percent of children aged 1 year are vaccinated (OECD.org, 2020). This percentage is higher than the average vaccination rate recorded among members of the OECD. The lowest vaccination rates are recorded for the hepatitis B vaccine (OECD.org, 2020). Adequate vaccination resulted in the eradication of measles in 2006 (OECD.org, 2020). In 2011, forty-one cases of measles were attributed to diminished vaccination rates in the target populations (OECD.org, 2020).

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention

OECD.org (2020) reports that primary prevention focuses on two thematic areas: tobacco control and proper nutrition. To begin with, the prevalence of cigarette smoking is higher in males than females (OECD.org, 2020). Male smokers exceed the average number in the OECD member states (OECD.org, 2020). The country has designated smoking zones to minimize the risk of secondhand smoke. Smoking is prohibited in healthcare facilities, educational centers, and public transport systems such as buses (OECD.org, 2020). Also, taxes levied on tobacco products are used to support smoking cessation programs. Public health centers provide smoking cessation programs. In 2016, more than 40,000 people quit smoking (OECD.org, 2020). This demonstrates the success of these smoking cessation programs. Healthy eating programs target school-going children and the general public. More than 11,500 schools have meal programs that fulfill the required nutritional standards (OECD.org, 2020). Furthermore, schools hire nutritionists to optimize the eating habits of students and limit unhealthy dietary habits. Furthermore, marketers are required to label their prepacked foods. This is likely to inform consumers of the ingredients and guide healthy dietary habits.

South Korea’s secondary prevention focuses on cancer. The National Cancer Screening Program aims to promote timely diagnosis of hepatic, gastric, cervical, and colorectal cancer (OECD.org, 2020). Free screening services are provided to beneficiaries of the Medical Aid Program and low-income individuals enrolled in the NHIP. The average screening rates of breast and cervical cancer are higher than those recorded in OECD states.

South Korea’s tertiary prevention of chronic infections is inadequate. This is evidenced by the readmission rates for conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OECD.org, 2020). For instance, in 201, the country recorded 81 admissions per 100,000 persons for asthma compared to an average number of 41 in other OECD countries (OECD.org, 2020). The admission rates for chronic obstructive disease and congestive heart failure were lower than those recorded in other OECD countries (OECD.org, 2020). In 2018, the country established tertiary preventive programs targeting diabetes mellitus and hypertension (OECD.org, 2020). Tertiary preventive programs are accomplished via in-person visits and mobile health.

Challenges, Solutions, and Funding

South Korea experiences various healthcare challenges. Firstly, it lacks an elaborate primary healthcare system (Columbia.edu, n.d.). As earlier stated, the country emphasizes hospital care rather than primary healthcare. In this context, patients are allowed to access specialty care in the community and hospitals without the need for referral. Lack of primary care is a significant problem because South Korea has a high percentage of the aging population (OECD.org, 2020). Secondly, South Koreans face a problem with access to and coverage. For instance, the majority of private medical facilities are found in urban centers. Furthermore, more than 90 percent of physicians and hospital beds are found in urban centers (OECD.org, 2020). This limits access to healthcare services by the population found in remote or rural areas. Also, the high out-of-pocket costs limit access to healthcare. For instance, the countries ‘ out-of-pocket costs account for about 34 percent of total healthcare costs (GSU.edu, 2021). This percentage is higher than the average of 20 percent recorded in other OECD states (GSU.edu, 2021).

South Korea’s healthcare challenges can be addressed via concerted efforts between the government and healthcare providers. The government should formulate policies that provide financial support for medical students’ training, followed by recruiting and deploying trained medics to practice in rural areas (OECD.org, 2020). This strategy will increase the number of physicians and healthcare facilities in rural areas and optimize access to healthcare by residents found in these areas. Also, private health insurance should be expanded to complement and supplement the NHIP. Private health insurance is likely to minimize the mandatory co-payments incurred by beneficiaries of the NHIP (OECD.org, 2020). Funding for the proposed solutions can be sourced from the local and national government’s budgets.

Comparison with the United States

GSU.edu (2021) reports that South Korea has a population of approximately 51 million people, whereas the USA has a population of approximately 328 million people. South Korea spends about 7.6 percent of its gross domestic product on healthcare, whereas the USA spends about 17.7 percent on healthcare (GSU.edu, 2021). South Korea has a universal healthcare system, whereas the USA has a hybrid system that embraces public and private healthcare coverage (GSU.edu, 2021). One hundred percent of the population has healthcare coverage in South Korea. On the other hand, about 92 percent of the population in the USA has healthcare coverage (GSU.edu, 2021). South Korea has better health outcomes compared to the USA. For instance, South Korea has a lower infant mortality rate (about 1.8) compared to the USA (about 5.7) (GSU.edu, 2021). Furthermore, maternal mortality rates per 100,000 births are 11 and 17.4 in South Korea and the USA, respectively (GSU.edu, 2021). Also, the life expectancy in South Korea is higher than that of the USA. In addition, the LTCI program ensures that South Korea’s elderly population receives affordable healthcare services, unlike the elderly population in the USA (GSU.edu, 2021). The USA has an elaborate primary healthcare system that embraces referrals to specialists. On the other hand, South Korea lacks an elaborate primary healthcare system (GSU.edu, 2021). The USA has adequately trained healthcare providers and numerous specialists. Both countries have advanced research programs in healthcare.

References

Columbia.edu. (n.d.). South Korea: summary https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/others/comparative-health-policy-library/south-korea-summary

GSU.edu. (2021). Beyond K-Pop: A Glimpse at South Korea’s Healthcare System. http://sites.gsu.edu/gsuglobalhealth/2021/02/15/beyond-k-pop-a-glimpse-at-south-koreas-healthcare-system/

Harzheim, E., Pinto, L. F., D’Avila, O. P., & Hauser, L. (2020). The Importance of the South Korean Primary Care Group and the Korean Primary Care Assessment Tool: is it possible to sample the whole country?. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 42(2), 183-184. https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.20.0013

Internations.org. (n.d.). Health Insurance and Healthcare in South Korea Explained. https://www.internations.org/south-korea-expats/guide/healthcare

Kim, H., & Kwon, S. (2021). A decade of public long-term care insurance in South Korea: Policy lessons for aging countries. Health Policy, 125(1), 22–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.11.003

Kyoung, D. S., & Kim, H. S. (2022). Understanding and utilizing claim data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and Health Insurance Review & Assessment (HIRA) database for research. Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis, 11(2), 103. https://doi.org/10.12997/jla.2022.11.2.103

OECD.org. (2020). The public health system in Korea. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/6e005d47-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/6e005d47-en

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

---

Select a country of your choosing and write a 1,750 to 2,000-word paper describing healthcare systems and healthcare delivery systems.

Identify the healthcare challenges faced by the country you selected, recommend solutions, and suggest a means of funding. Compare and contrast the healthcare system and population health of the country you selected with the United States.
***use scholarly references only***