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Changes in Korean National Healthcare Insurance Policy and Breast Cancer Surgery Trend in Korea.
- Source :
-
Journal of Korean medical science [J Korean Med Sci] 2021 Jul 26; Vol. 36 (29), pp. e194. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jul 26. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: Since April 2015, the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) has reimbursed breast cancer patients, approximately 50% of the cost of the breast reconstruction (BR) procedure. We aimed to investigate NHI reimbursement policy influence on the rate of immediate BR (IBR) following total mastectomy (TM).<br />Methods: We retrospectively analyzed breast cancer data between April 2011 and June 2016. We divided patients who underwent IBR following TM for primary breast cancer into "uninsured" and "insured" groups using their NHI statuses at the time of surgery. Univariate analyses determined the insurance influence on the decision to undergo IBR.<br />Results: Of 2,897 breast cancer patients, fewer uninsured patients (n = 625) underwent IBR compared with those insured (n = 325) (30.0% vs. 39.8%, P < 0.001). Uninsured patients were younger than those insured (median age [range], 43 [38-48] vs. 45 [40-50] years; P < 0.001). Pathologic breast cancer stage did not differ between the groups (P = 0.383). More insured patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( P = 0.011), adjuvant radiotherapy ( P < 0.001), and IBR with tissue expander insertion ( P = 0.005) compared with those uninsured.<br />Conclusion: IBR rate in patients undergoing TM increased after NHI reimbursement.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.<br /> (© 2021 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Breast Neoplasms epidemiology
Female
Health Policy
Humans
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement economics
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement trends
Mammaplasty statistics & numerical data
Mammaplasty trends
Mastectomy statistics & numerical data
Mastectomy trends
Middle Aged
Republic of Korea epidemiology
Retrospective Studies
Breast Neoplasms surgery
Insurance, Health trends
Mammaplasty economics
Mastectomy economics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1598-6357
- Volume :
- 36
- Issue :
- 29
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of Korean medical science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34313035
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e194