‘Scaling health insurance’ continues to increase every year after exceeding 10 million in 2021
Health insurance application scaling (CG) once a year
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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Seo Han-ki = The number of people receiving scaling procedures at the dentist with health insurance is increasing every year. The so-called ‘tartar removal health insurance benefit system’ is gradually becoming established.
Scaling is a dental treatment that physically removes plaque and tartar from the surface of teeth that cannot be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss alone.
According to the National Health Insurance Corporation on the 18th, since July 2013, when health insurance subscribers (including dependents) receive scaling, they began to partially subsidize medical expenses, the number of people receiving dental plaque removal with benefits has been increasing every year.
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The number exceeded 10 million for the first time with 10,16,329 in 2021, and is on the rise to 10,413,875 in 2022 and 11,059,453 in 2023. This year, there were 7,830,913 people as of August.
[급여 적용 현황] (Unit: people, %, KRW 100 million)
※ (Registrant) Based on the date of application, (Total medical expenses, salary expenses) Based on the payment date
* The growth rate appears to have decreased due to the spread of COVID-19 in January 2020.
If you receive insurance benefits, in most cases, you can receive scaling by paying only 15,000 to 20,000 won out of pocket. If you receive it on a non-benefit basis, the cost soars to 50,000 to 70,000 won.
In Korea, scaling treatment performed at dentists has been covered by health insurance once a year since July 2013, which can alleviate the financial burden to some extent.
However, the period during which the one-time health insurance benefit is provided for scaling is one year, from January to December every year. If scaling is not done within this year, the opportunity for insurance coverage disappears.
This means that just because you did not receive scaling this year does not mean you can receive health insurance twice next year.
Therefore, if you have never had a scaling procedure this year, it is a good idea to do not forget to visit the dentist before the end of the year to reap the benefits.
Regular scaling, along with thorough brushing and flossing, is the most basic and important way to prevent periodontal disease and maintain gum health.
Periodontal disease has no special symptoms in the early stages, but if left untreated, it can cause major problems with oral health, such as gum recession (the circumference of the teeth degenerates and atrophies, exposing cementum) or teeth become loose.
Scaling also helps relieve bad breath. If tartar is left on for a long time, bad breath can occur due to bacterial growth. By removing it, bad odor can be reduced.
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2024/11/18 06:00 Sent
What are the key differences between scaling and regular dental cleanings, and why is scaling specifically important for some patients?
1. Guest 1: Dr. Kwon, as a dentist, what are the primary benefits of undergoing a scaling procedure? How often should it be done, and who would benefit more from receiving it?
2. Guest 2: Mr. Lee, as a health insurance policy expert, could you explain the process of applying for the health insurance benefit for scaling procedures? What are some common misconceptions about the coverage, and how can people ensure they receive their annual benefit?
3. Guest 1: Dr. Kwon, how has the number of scaling procedures increased over the years, and has there been a change in patient behavior before and after the health insurance benefit was introduced?
4. Guest 2: Mr. Lee, how does the National Health Insurance Corporation plan to address potential issues like long waiting times and scarcity of dentists for scaling procedures with the rising number of claims?
5. Guest 1: Dr. Kwon, can you share any interesting cases or situations where scaling has had a significant impact on a patient’s oral health?
6. Guest 2: Mr. Lee, how has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the demand for scaling procedures and the utilization of health insurance benefits related to dental care?
7. Guest 1: Dr. Kwon, how can patients maintain good oral hygiene between their annual scaling appointments to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar?
8. Guest 2: Mr. Lee, what steps is the National Health Insurance Corporation taking to raise awareness about the importance of dental care and the availability of the scaling benefit among the general public?
