The number of users of North Chungcheong Province's "deferred medical payment" program, the first of its kind in Korea, has surpassed 3,000.
The provincial government announced Sunday that the program reached 3,000 users as of April 10, achieving meaningful results in easing residents' medical expense burdens and guaranteeing their right to health.
Applications have grown significantly, with 477 in 2023, 773 in 2024, and 1,161 in 2025. Monthly applications increased more than fourfold from 40 in 2023 to 180 in 2026, demonstrating the program's effectiveness and reliability.
Among applicants, those aged 65 and older accounted for the largest group at 1,212, followed by basic livelihood security recipients at 1,127 and people with disabilities at 316. By condition, dental treatments including implants and orthodontics ranked highest, with orthopedic conditions such as spinal, knee, and hip joint issues also showing high proportions.
The deferred medical payment program, first launched in January 2023, has undergone continuous improvements and expansions across all aspects.
The number of eligible recipients has expanded from approximately 110,000 at the program's inception to 850,000 currently, with coverage extended to include multi-child families, single-parent households, and expectant mothers. The scope of covered conditions was also broadened through reorganization into five disease categories.
Participating medical institutions increased from 80 to 331, and the program lowered barriers to access by extending support beyond surgeries and procedures to include medication and inpatient treatment. With the addition of caregiver expense support, the program has evolved to more comprehensively relieve the financial burden on hospitalized patients.
Chungbuk's deferred medical payment program is gaining attention as an exemplary model for medical welfare policy and paving the way for nationwide expansion. Seoul plans pilot operations in the first half of this year, while Gyeonggi Province is scheduled for the second half. Similar programs are also being implemented in areas such as Haenam County in South Jeolla Province, with ongoing benchmarking and adoption discussions among local governments.
The province plans to continue improving the program by expanding participating medical institutions and strengthening targeted outreach to ensure more residents can benefit.
"When I hear that residents who had hesitated to seek treatment due to cost concerns have recovered their health and started new lives through this program, I truly feel that the deferred medical payment system functions as a safety net for residents' lives, beyond simple financial support," said Han Chan-oh, director of the provincial Health Policy Division.
