Reimbursement Schemes and Financial Support to Local Public Hospitals

Abstract

This paper aimed to propose reimbursement schemes and financial support plans to provide local public hospitals with sufficient compensation for appropriate delivery of health care services and population health projects so that they can fulfill their missions as local public hospitals. I reviewed major roles, current status, and characteristics of local public hospitals as well as the reimbursement and financial support system for local public hospitals in Korea. My suggestions to improve reimbursement and financial support system for public hospitals in Korea include 1) developing and implementing customized models not only to cope with needs in communities but also to consider the current status and characteristics of local public hospitals, 2) securing sufficient compensation for essential healthcare services as well as population health projects, 3) expanding financial support to fund operating costs and labor costs for local public hospitals.