"The children I treat have to spend money just to urinate. With this expansion of health insurance coverage for self-catheterization catheters, these children can now ease their financial burdens and receive medical care based on their medical needs."

Prof. Lee Yong-seung of the Department of Pediatric Urology at Severance Hospital [pictured right] gave this assessment on December 2nd at a media session held by Coloplast Korea regarding the expansion of health insurance coverage for self-catheterization catheters for patients with neurogenic bladder, which takes effect on December 1st.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to expand support for catheters required for self-catheterization in neurogenic bladder patients during the Health Insurance Policy Review Committee held on September 8th. Approximately 10,000 patients are expected to benefit from this decision.

Previously, neurogenic bladder patients received support for up to 6 self-catheterization catheters per day, up to a standard amount of 9,000 KRW. Moving forward, adults aged 19 and older will receive support based on a daily standard amount of 13,500 KRW, while the quantity of catheters remains the same.

In contrast, for children and adolescents under 19, support levels have been expanded to a maximum of 8 catheters per day with a standard amount of 18,000 KRW, alleviating the burden by approximately 1.55 million KRW per patient annually.

Prof. Cho Young-sam of the Department of Urology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital [pictured left] stated, "Self-catheterization is not merely an act of excreting urine, but a fundamental and essential standard treatment to protect the bladder and kidneys."

He added, "This is significant in that the expansion of support for self-catheterization catheters has established an environment where patients can continue their treatment based on medical necessity rather than economic reasons."

Suk Sang-gyu, Marketing Managing Director at Coloplast Korea, also explained, "This reimbursement expansion lowers the risk of complications such as urinary tract infections in patients and relieves daily life constraints by reducing financial burdens."

He further elaborated, "It is also meaningful in that it has laid the foundation for patients to select treatment options that are more suitable to their health status and living environment."

In particular, the expansion of coverage for pediatric and adolescent patients is crucial because it goes beyond a simple increase in subsidies; it enhances treatment compliance and serves as an opportunity for children to focus more on their growth and school life.

Prof. Lee Yong-seung stated, "Pediatric patients have smaller bladder capacities than adults, making more frequent urination management essential," and noted, "Self-catheterization is closely linked to overall daily life, including school and social life, as well as treatment."

He predicted, "There are cases where children drink less water to reduce the number of catheterizations or hesitate to go to school, but this coverage expansion will allow pediatric patients to focus more on their growth and school life."

In addition, discussions should move beyond the expansion of nursing cost support for self-catheterization catheters to include future support measures for education and counseling so that patients can safely and continuously perform self-catheterization.

Prof. Cho Young-sam emphasized, "Self-catheterization does not end with just prescribing catheters; precise hygiene management and infection prevention education are essential. Therefore, institutional support measures for medical staff to provide patient education and counseling must also be explored moving forward."

Prof. Lee Yong-seung also explained, "For pediatric patients, education is required at each developmental stage. When they are infants or young children, education should be given to their caregivers, and upon entering elementary school, they should be taught to perform self-catheterization by themselves."

Prof. Lee suggested, "To educate patients on self-catheterization methods, counseling spaces and educational personnel are necessary. Because education and counseling are conducted continuously rather than just once, I hope support measures for this will also be discussed."

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