Urgent: Cancer Patient Numbers Soar in South Korean Nursing Hospitals – System Overhaul Demanded
Seoul, South Korea – A new study reveals a dramatic increase in cancer patients utilizing South Korea’s nursing hospitals, now accounting for 28.4% of all inpatients – a figure that’s rapidly climbing. This surge is prompting urgent calls for a comprehensive review of the healthcare system to ensure adequate and affordable care for those battling cancer, and to address potential issues with hospital management and non-covered medical expenses. This is a breaking news development with significant implications for healthcare access and resource allocation.
The Rising Tide of Cancer Patients in Nursing Care
Published in ‘Health Economics and Policy Research,’ the study, led by Park Soo-kyung of the National Health Insurance Corporation’s Health Insurance Research Institute, analyzed health insurance claim data. The findings show a jump from 16.4% cancer patient representation in 2020 (107,445 out of 656,731 total inpatients) to 28.4% in 2024 (126,593 out of 446,357). This represents a 12 percentage point increase in just four years. Notably, 15.3% of all registered cancer patients in South Korea have utilized a nursing hospital at least once during their diagnosis period.
Who is Being Affected? A Demographic Breakdown
The study paints a clear picture of who is most reliant on nursing hospital care. Breast cancer is the most prevalent diagnosis among these patients (24.6%), followed by lung cancer (11.2%) and colon cancer (10.6%). Interestingly, the average length of stay for cancer patients is shorter (10.1 days) than for non-cancer patients (14.5 days), while their total medical costs are also lower (₩760,000 vs. ₩1.56 million). However, daily treatment costs are comparable at ₩70,000. A significant 66% of cancer patients utilizing these facilities are women, and the largest age group is 55-64 years old (31.4%), contrasting with the older demographic typically found in nursing hospitals. A striking 35.5% of these patients live alone.
Financial Burdens and Systemic Concerns
The research highlights potential financial strains. While non-cancer patients often benefit from higher medical benefit ratios, cancer patients are frequently in the higher income tiers (4th and 5th health insurance tiers). Furthermore, a substantial 34.1% of cancer patients travel to different cities or provinces for nursing hospital care, suggesting limited local access or specialized services. A key concern raised is the classification of hospitalizations, with a higher proportion of cancer patients categorized as ‘elective’ – meaning they require daily care but have lower medical urgency – potentially impacting the quality and focus of their treatment. The study also points to the growing issue of non-covered medical expenses, which are increasing at a faster rate in nursing hospitals than in other medical institutions.
The Shadow of “Illegal Payback” and Unproven Treatments
Recent controversies have further fueled the need for reform. In 2024, allegations surfaced of some cancer nursing hospitals engaging in “illegal payback” schemes – returning portions of medical fees to attract patients. While the Korean Nursing Hospital Association has pledged to address such practices, the incident underscores the potential for unethical behavior. The study also touches upon the use of treatments like ‘Cymosin Alpha 1,’ a costly immune-boosting injection recently deemed ineffective through medical technology re-evaluation, raising questions about appropriate care standards.
Beyond the Numbers: A Call for Medical-Centric Care
Experts emphasize the need to shift the focus from purely care-centered to a more medically-driven approach within nursing hospitals. “There are cancer patients who inevitably use nursing hospitals because it is difficult to manage them at home,” explains Joo-yeol Lee, a professor of health administration at Namseoul University. “We need a process and system to change their management from care-centered to medical-centered. It is time to come up with a plan to supervise nursing hospitals for specific diseases other than the elderly.” The increasing reliance on nursing hospitals for cancer care isn’t simply a demographic shift; it’s a signal that the existing system isn’t adequately meeting the complex needs of these patients, demanding a proactive and comprehensive response. This situation requires immediate attention from policymakers and healthcare providers to ensure that cancer patients receive the specialized care they deserve, without facing undue financial hardship or compromising their well-being. Stay tuned to Archyde for further updates on this developing story and in-depth analysis of South Korea’s evolving healthcare landscape.
