HIRA (Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service)
HIRA (Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service)
"But 100,000 won a day is still pretty expensive..."
"Tell me about it. I don't even make 3 million won a month..."
Public concern began to creep in.
But what kind of country is Korea?
It was a country with one of the best medical insurance systems in the world. While people in other places might die because they couldn't get proper treatment, that almost never happened in Korea. For starters, it was easy to visit a local clinic, and with a little effort, it was even possible to get treated at a university hospital.
It was different from European healthcare, where it could take days just to get an appointment. If you wanted to go to the hospital, you just went. There was always a doctor waiting, and you could get an examination immediately.
Plus, if you paid your health insurance premiums, you could receive medical subsidies from the state.
Aside from the out-of-pocket expenses paid by the individual, there was also the portion covered by the National Health Insurance Service. This was why medical costs in Korea were cheap. Even without private indemnity insurance, the state paid a certain amount.
In the case of major illnesses, the out-of-pocket costs were high, but it was still better than abroad. Overseas, there were cases where even a simple appendectomy cost hundreds of millions of won. But in Korea, the out-of-pocket cost didn't even amount to a few hundred thousand won.
HIRA stepped up.
The press conference hall was suffocatingly quiet. The atmosphere was such that even the sound of camera shutters felt cautious. Bold text appeared on the screen in front.
[Announcement of Dementia Treatment Coverage and Adjustment of Out-of-Pocket Rate]
Reporters stared at the podium, holding their breath.
Soon, a man in a black suit slowly walked up to the microphone. It was the President of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
The moment he grabbed the microphone, the reporters' cameras exploded.
Click, click!
"I will begin the announcement."
It was a low, firm voice. At the President's single word, the air in the press conference hall completely settled. Today's announcement was a very serious matter. Depending on the rate, dementia patients could end up in heaven or hell.
"Regarding the coverage of the recently developed dementia treatment, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has reached a final decision after internal review and expert consultation."
Someone could be heard swallowing. This single announcement would change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
"The treatment in question has been confirmed to have a significant cognitive improvement effect compared to existing treatments..."
Murmur, murmur.
The small noise that had been spreading grew louder. But the President did not stop.
"Considering the improvement in the patient's quality of life and the reduction of the family's care burden, we have decided to apply coverage."
In an instant, bodies leaned forward here and there in the press section.
"The out-of-pocket rate is..."
The President drank the water he had brought. Then, he put his mouth to the microphone and spoke. In a silence where even breathing seemed to have stopped.
"Decided at 30%."
Reporters at the press conference asked questions.
"30%!!?"
"That's lower than expected..."
"How will you handle the financial burden!"
Questions poured out. Flashes went off like lightning.
The President continued.
"I think it is very fortunate that the disease of dementia has been conquered. I will say that the burden rate was decided based on internal review and the advice of experts."
As if he had nothing more to say, the President bowed his head and stepped down from the podium.
[HIRA, Announces Final 30% Out-of-Pocket Rate for Dementia Treatment]
[HIRA Decides to Apply Coverage for Dementia Treatment, 'Considering Patient Accessibility']
[High-Priced Dementia Treatment, 30% Out-of-Pocket... 'Attention' on Impact on Health Insurance Finances]
[Patient Families Breathe a Sigh of Relief at HIRA's Decision.]
The decision on the out-of-pocket rate for the dementia treatment was like a ray of light for dementia patients. They had to pay 100,000 won a day, but since HIRA lowered the burden rate to 30%, the individual burden was now drastically reduced to 30,000 won a day.
It was effectively a 70% cut.
3 million won a month was a huge amount of money, but 900,000 won a month was not. Even people earning minimum wage could afford it. Dementia patient guardians were talking about HIRA's announcement.
"Did you hear? They say dementia can be completely cured for 30,000 won a day!"
"I could really cry. To think dementia can be cured for 900,000 won a month... Jaeseong Bio is practically a gift from God."
900,000 won was an amount that was fully manageable.
When considering the existing costs of nursing dementia patients, it was a huge gain.
If a dementia patient was admitted to a nursing home, the out-of-pocket expenses alone approached 1 to 1.5 million won per month. Besides, could you just dump your parents in a nursing home alone? Naturally, you had to hire a caregiver too.
If one dementia patient appeared in a household, it was an amount where several million won would easily disappear in a month.
But now it didn't matter.
Because it could be cured for 900,000 won a month! It was much cheaper than having millions of won disappear.
Now, there was no need to wait for the day of death in a nursing home anymore. They wouldn't have to see their parents who had lost their memories and were left with only instincts.
They could see their parents looking dignified and like Superman, just like before.
It was the moment the shackles that had been placed on dementia guardians were released. This was all thanks to Jaeseong Bio. If Jaeseong Bio hadn't existed, they would have had to spend years nursing their parents who had dementia.
And from the state's perspective, it wasn't bad either.
Considering the taxes used for dementia patients, it was better for HIRA to distribute the taxes to the patients. Considering the taxes spent to care for one dementia patient... it was better to administer the treatment and turn them into normal people.
The taxes used to care for one dementia patient were roughly 20 to 30 million won. Health insurance was one thing, but the biggest expense was long-term care insurance.
It was much easier and more comfortable to care for dementia patients in nursing homes or facilities than at home. And there was a problem. To care for them at home, one person was absolutely necessary. But in the case of children, they had to go to work, so there was no one to look after them at home.
So, they were forced to send their parents to nursing homes, biting the bullet.
But now, dementia could be completely conquered thanks to Neurogen.
While Jaeseong Bio was shaking up South Korea, I was roaming around inside the spaceship with Soyeon.
"You said a massive amount of energy is needed to revive dead functions?"
"Yes, Jaeseong-nim."
I heard Soyeon and said.
"Then how much energy are we talking about...?"
"If we calculate based on Earth's current energy efficiency... you would have to pour in all the energy on Earth."
"That much?"
To think I'd have to pour in all the energy on Earth to revive the spaceship... It was clear that an astronomical amount of money would be needed. But I wasn't worried about that kind of money.
Even just the minimum functions of the Medical Ship being maintained now were this much; I couldn't imagine what kind of amazing technology it would create if the functions were unlocked one by one.
"Then I'll have to start an energy company."
I had the thought of importing all the energy on Earth and pouring it into this spaceship. I didn't know how much money and effort it would take, but shouldn't I at least try?
I wasn't satisfied with the minimum functions of this Medical Ship right now. I wanted to use more functions. Furthermore, I wanted to see with my own eyes the advanced functions of the Medical Ship that could even save dying people.
"By the way, you said you could change my appearance and height, right?"
"Yes, Jaeseong-nim. It is possible if we use the current energy to the maximum. However, it will take some time."
"Ho-oh...!"
My eyes sparkled. My current height and appearance were nothing but ordinary. But I was human too. I wanted to have a handsome appearance and a tall height. Soyeon solved that worry of mine in one fell swoop.
She said I could change my height and appearance using the capsule in the Medical Ship.
"But people would be surprised if I changed overnight, right?"
It would also be a problem if my appearance changed so much that even my parents couldn't recognize me.
"Yes. That is why I said it would take time. I could change your appearance and height in 10 minutes right now, but... if that happens, Jaeseong-nim will end up in a difficult situation."
"Is that so? That's why you said it needed time?"
"Yes. It will take approximately 2 to 3 years. People don't notice when someone's appearance changes slowly."
"Okay, sounds good."
Of course, I would be the only one to use this technology. I had no intention of recommending it to others. I don't know if my mind will change later, but that's how it was until now. The Medical Ship was a secret card that only I should know about.