As the government launches an intensive crackdown on illegal medical practices, including "payback" schemes in which cancer patients are given expensive non-covered treatments and then refunded part of their fees, voices of self-reflection are emerging within the medical community.
The Association of Korean Medicine Hospitals said regarding recently uncovered cases of patient treatment fee paybacks at some cancer-treating Korean medicine hospitals, "We will carry out self-purification measures targeting some 500 member hospitals nationwide and actively cooperate with the government's crackdown."
Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) referred six medical institutions to police for investigation on suspicion of engaging in patient inducement and brokering activities banned under the Medical Service Act, such as paybacks for cancer patients. Payback refers to a practice in which medical institutions lure patients by later refunding part of their treatment fees or providing economic benefits. It is banned under the Medical Service Act because it risks increasing unnecessary tests and procedures. The investigation targets included one Korean medicine hospital, along with two hospitals and three nursing hospitals.
The Association of Korean Medicine Hospitals plans to operate a channel through which hospital insiders can report and blow the whistle, out of concern that the majority of Korean medicine hospitals providing normal care will lose public trust. An association official said, "We plan to actively promote guidance activities to eradicate abnormal medical practices at member Korean medicine hospitals," adding, "If such illegal cases occur at some Korean medicine hospitals, we will respond strictly so that the public can use Korean medicine hospitals with peace of mind."
The Korean Nursing Hospital Association also said it actively supports the government's administrative investigation and referral for investigation, while pledging to strengthen its own self-purification activities. Calls are also rising that self-disciplinary powers should be strengthened to eradicate illegal medical practices.
The Seoul Medical Association said in a statement that day, "Illegal and unethical acts by a very small minority undermine the trust of the entire medical community and can never be tolerated." Citing its participation in a pilot program for expert peer review since May 2019 and its leading role in establishing a self-purification system in the medical community, the association demanded that effective self-disciplinary powers be guaranteed.
Hwang Kyu-seok, president of the Seoul Medical Association, stressed, "Public trust is the most important asset of medical professionals, and acts that undermine medical ethics ultimately damage the honor of all medical professionals." He added, "The Seoul Medical Association will respond strictly, without any exception, to acts that betray medical ethics and use people's lives and health as a means for private gain."
