Industry executives call for the government to permit non-face-to-face treatment for new patients, citing the examples of G7 member nations. However, a Korean Medical Association (KMA) research body pointed out that it is different from reality.

The Korea Telemedicine Industry Council (KTIC), an association of 19 telemedicine platform companies, demanded non-contract treatment also be allowed for first patients holding a news conference on March 15.

Korea Startup Forum also launched a signature drive to “protect telemedicine,” asking for participation to enable new patients to use telemedicine.

However, the Medical Policy Research Institute under the doctors’ group pointed out that KTIC’s use of examples of G7 was wrong. It noted that the United States temporarily allowed telemedicine for new patients until December 31, 2024. France allowed it only for emergencies and when no doctors were in charge.

“We have found serious errors in TKTIC’s allegation,” the research institute said Tuesday based on its analysis of the G7 nations’ allowance of telemedicine for new patients during different periods of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the institute, the U.S. government had allowed non-face-to-face treatment for new patients before the Covid-19 pandemic under its Medicaid policy and public insurance for low-income people. With the outbreak of the pandemic, the U.S. also allowed non-contact treatment for new patients among those 65 and older and disabled people under its Medicare policy.

“However, the U.S. has decided to terminate various eased measures related to telemedicine, including non-contact treatment for new patients on Dec. 31, 2024,” the research body said. “The extension to Dec. 31, 2024, was not aimed to prolong the permission beyond the deadline. The U.S. government confirmed and announced that it would not extend the measure after the date.”

France initially allowed patients to receive non-face-to-face treatment “only from doctors in charge from whom they have “received at least one face-to-face-treatment over the past 12 months.” However, new patients could get non-contact treatment in emergencies or when no doctors are in charge. During the Covid-19 pandemic, French people could receive non-contact treatment for initial consulting without the decision of the doctors in charge. However, France will return to the pre-Covid-19 system where telemedicine for new patients is provided only in emergencies when there are no doctors and prisoners. Otherwise, it will allow telemedicine only for second or further treatment.

Germany and Italy allow telemedicine only for second-time patients.

“Germany has not permitted telemedicine for new patients regardless of Covid-19,” the institute said. “Telemedicine for new patients has been unallowable in Germany in disregard of the pandemic.”

It pointed out that only the U.K. and the U.S. had permitted telemedicine for new patients until the breakout of Covid-19. Currently, it added that those who allow telemedicine for new patients do so only limitedly to regular or family doctors.

“Health and medical policies should be established by prioritizing public health. Especially so when such policies have great social repercussions,” said Woo Bong-shik, head of the research institute.

He reemphasized the principles of telemedicine agreed upon in the medical issue consultative body on Feb. 9, such as conducting face-to-face treatment in principle, using telemedicine as an auxiliary method, running the telemedicine system focusing on second-time patients, testing it mainly at neighborhood clinics, and prohibiting medical institutions that are exclusively providing non-contact treatment.

“We express great regret and concern over the industry group demanding telemedicine for new patients based on erroneous information and distorted facts ahead of the National Assembly’s discussion to create a concrete systemic frame, threatening the public health,” Woo said.