Non-emergency patients should pay 90% of costs out-of-pocket if they use regional ER hubs

The government is proposing a 90 percent co-payment rate for emergency room (ER) medical expenses for non-emergency and mildly ill patients who use regional emergency medical centers.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it would propose an amendment to the enforcement rules of the National Health Insurance Act to a public notice by Friday.

The main content of the amendment is that the co-payment rate for emergency room treatment will be 90 percent for non-emergency and mildly ill patients who visit regional emergency medical centers, regional trauma centers, and specialized emergency medical centers, according to the Korean Emergency Patient Severity Classification System.

“The amendment aims to contribute to preventing the overcrowding of emergency rooms, timely treatment of severely ill patients, and efficient utilization of emergency medical resources by increasing the out-of-pocket payment rate for emergency room treatment when non-emergency and mildly ill patients use regional emergency medical centers," the Health Ministry said.