First probe results from abnormal and fake treatment administrative investigation unit
2 hospitals, 3 convalescent hospitals, 1 traditional Korean medicine hospital targeted
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has referred six medical institutions to police on suspicion of illegally soliciting patients by offering so-called "paybacks" — returning a portion of medical fees to cancer patients — in violation of the Medical Service Act.
The referrals are the first results from an administrative investigation carried out by the abnormal and fake treatment administrative investigation unit, which launched last month.
The ministry said Tuesday that a first-round administrative investigation, conducted starting June 23 on some of the institutions facing payback allegations, led to police referrals for six facilities in total: two hospitals, three convalescent hospitals and one traditional Korean medicine hospital.
The ministry said it determined that a police investigation was warranted after comprehensively reviewing on-site inspection findings, materials secured during the probe and evidence of potential violations.
Paybacks refer to the practice of medical institutions returning part of a patient's treatment fees in cash, gift vouchers or other forms of economic benefit to attract patients. The Medical Service Act broadly prohibits such patient solicitation and referral activities, and violations can result in criminal punishment.
The investigation unit selects targets based on tip-offs received through a reporting center, analysis of national health insurance big data and media leads. With reports continuing to come in, the unit plans to conduct additional investigations in sequence.
The ministry also said that when potential violations of medical ethics are identified during investigations, it will work with professional bodies such as the Korean Medical Association to conduct expert reviews, while also pursuing voluntary corrective measures within the medical community.
Kwak Sun-heon, head of the abnormal and fake treatment administrative investigation unit, said the unit would ensure that illegal practices have no foothold in medical settings. "Whenever evidence of illegal activity is found during an investigation, we will go beyond administrative sanctions and pursue police referrals," he said.
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