Health · Healthcare & Policy · 22 hrs ago
South Korea limits covered manual therapy to 15 sessions a year
South Korea brought manual therapy into its health insurance system in July, setting a price of 43,850 won per session.
Patients can usually receive up to 15 sessions a year, with a doctor able to approve as many as 24 in exceptional cases.
Before the change, prices varied by clinic, and private indemnity insurance often covered the treatment.
Some patients, including people recovering from surgery or injuries, worry the limit will cut short care they need.
A clinical physical therapists’ group says patients must first receive at least two weeks of other basic therapy or rehabilitation before starting manual therapy.
Others argue that insurance coverage encouraged unnecessary treatment, which can add to costs for all policyholders.
Insurers say reducing excessive care could help limit insurance losses, while other physical therapy and rehabilitation options remain available.
South Korea has limited covered manual therapy to 15 sessions a year, with exceptions allowing up to 24 sessions when a doctor considers them necessary.
The change took effect in July and brought the treatment into the national health insurance system.
The fee was set at 43,850 won per session, replacing prices that varied between hospitals.
Some patients and physical therapists say the limit may leave people needing further treatment unable to get it.
Others argue the cap could reduce unnecessary care and help limit increases in private health insurance premiums.
- Who
- Patients receiving manual therapy, the National Clinical Physical Therapists Solidarity and insurance industry representatives.
- What
- Covered manual therapy is limited to 15 sessions a year, with doctor-approved exceptions up to 24.
- When
- The policy began in July; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The policy aims to manage treatment costs and curb excessive care linked to private insurance costs.
Patients and physical therapists
Insurance industry advocates
Treatment access
Patients and physical therapists
The National Clinical Physical Therapists Solidarity says patients who reach the limit cannot receive additional manual therapy, even if they want it.
Insurance industry advocates
An industry representative says other physical or rehabilitation treatments remain available and doctors can approve more sessions in exceptional cases.
Effect of the limit
Patients and physical therapists
Some rehabilitation and surgery patients say 15 sessions are not enough.
Insurance industry advocates
Insurance industry advocates say limiting excessive care can reduce insurance losses and ease the burden on policyholders.
실손보험은 해마다 1조~2조원의 적자를 보이는 만큼 전체 가입자 부담을 덜기 위해서라도 비급여의 과잉진료를 줄여야 하는 상황
물리치료나 재활치료가 가능하고 의사의 소견에 따라 횟수 확대가 가능한 만큼 적은 회수는 아니다
Manual therapy was brought into the national health insurance system and the session limit took effect.
Maeil Business published an article on differing views about the limit.
- Annual standard limit
- 15 sessions
- Maximum with a doctor's exception
- 24 sessions a year
- Fee per session
- 43,850 won
- Other treatment required first
- At least four sessions of basic physical or simple rehabilitation therapy over a minimum of two weeks
- Coverage
- Existing policyholders in private indemnity insurance generations 1–4 can continue to receive coverage under their existing terms.
Sources
Related news
Demand grows for death doulas who support people near the end of life
Elder care managers help US families navigate care and paperwork
Brain stimulation centre opens at medical institute in Guntur
KPN outage disrupts phone access to several Dutch university hospitals
Humana gains in 2027 Medicare Advantage ratings as Alignment falls
India approves 30% trade-margin cap on non-scheduled cancer drugs
Hospitals sue to block revised federal 340B drug rebate plan
India proposes approval requirement for prescription drug ads by sellers
Medicine shortages reported at camps near Vijayawada’s Kanaka Durga temple
Moving a loved one into a care home can be hard on family caregivers
Luigi Carbone coordinates medical care for Pope Leo XIV
