Free COVID-19 Testing Comes to an End in Korea

 

 

Free COVID-19 Testing Comes to an End in Korea

 

 

 

 

 

Starting from the 31st, the classification of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus infection, will be lowered from the current Level 2 to Level 4, similar to influenza (the flu).

 

So, what will be changing?

 

https://www.bbc.com/korean/news-52483228

 

 

 

Will the testing fees at local clinics also increase?

 

 

http://www.dailypharm.com/Users/News/NewsView.html?ID=285026

 

 

 

Currently, when receiving a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at a local clinic for suspected symptoms of COVID-19 such as high fever or cough, one only needs to pay the examination fee of 5,100 KRW.

 

However, going forward, individuals will have to pay a total fee for the test, including the examination fee, ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 KRW.

 

 

 

 

Do you need to pay for a PCR test before hospital admission?

 

 

 

https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=5508737

 

 

 

 

No, patients who are scheduled for hospitalization or their resident caregivers can still receive free PCR testing at public health center screening clinics, just as they do now.

 

However, individuals who bring their own self-test kits with positive results will no longer be eligible for free testing.

 

If a PCR test is deemed necessary, it must be conducted at a hospital, and the personal contribution for the test will increase from the current 23,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW.

 

 

 

 

Will the burden of treatment expenses also increase?

 

 

 

https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/push-for-more-detail-on-covid-19-oral-antivirals-i

 

 

 

Treatments like Paxlovid and Lagevrio for COVID-19 will continue to be provided at no cost.

 

This support will be available until the first half of next year, before the planned 'full return to normalcy.'

 

Government assistance for some of the treatment costs, including ventilators for critically ill COVID-19 patients, will be maintained until the end of this year.

 

 

 

 

Will vaccines also become paid?

 

 

 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/updated-covid-shot-mid-september/story?id=102551165

 

 

 

 

Free vaccination for all citizens will be maintained.

 

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) plans to introduce a new vaccine targeting the emerging 'XBB' lineage of the Omicron variant and initiate its administration in mid-October.

 

The new vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death even for sub-lineages of XBB like 'EG.5' (also known as 'Eris') that are currently on the rise.

 

Similar to before, it appears that foreigners residing in the country will be able to receive vaccinations through online/offline applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sources : https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20230831/120944937/1