North Korea is planning to transition from its nominally free healthcare system to a medical insurance model. The regime has assigned the task of rebuilding the healthcare system to the Cabinet’s Health Ministry and Workers’ Party departments. The new system will require employees at various agencies and enterprises to enroll in medical insurance, with premiums deducted from their monthly wages. The regime is also considering allowing North Koreans without an official workplace to receive insurance benefits through working family members who are insured.<\/p>\n
The introduction of medical insurance represents a shift from the state covering the entirety of medical expenses to a system in which costs are split with individuals. People enrolled in basic insurance will receive basic treatment at prices set by the state, but out-of-pocket costs may increase for hospitalization or specialized treatment. The regime is also planning to issue “social security medical insurance cards” to manage individuals’ medical history and treatment records.<\/p>\n
The adoption of medical insurance is seen as a way to stabilize medical expenses and address the operational difficulties faced by new hospitals and pharmacies. The regime has concluded that the current system is not viable and has decided to introduce medical health insurance to address these challenges. The introduction of medical insurance may be connected to the vision of a “public health revolution” announced by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.<\/p>\n
The key variables in the new system will be the level of insurance premiums and the level of out-of-pocket spending for treatment and medication. The regime has not yet made concrete decisions on these matters, and struggling households and those without an official job may be skeptical about the introduction of medical insurance. Despite the introduction of medical insurance, the regime is expected to continue to espouse the socialist vision of free care, even as the country moves to a system of managed public health care based on medical insurance.<\/p>\n
The use of medical insurance cards will enable the medical authorities to track treatment and integrate medical records at all levels, from neighborhood clinics to top-tier hospitals. This will give the authorities a top-down view of who has been treated, what treatment they’ve received, and where they got it. The introduction of medical insurance is a significant development in North Korea’s healthcare system, and its impact will depend on the details of the new system and how it is implemented.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
North Korea is planning to transition from its nominally free healthcare system to a medical insurance model. The regime has assigned the task of rebuilding the healthcare system to the Cabinet’s Health Ministry and Workers’ Party departments. The new system will require employees at various agencies and enterprises to enroll in medical insurance, with premiums […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-222705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-care","category-insurance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9ibIB-VW1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":222744,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/27\/health-insurance-home-loans-and-preventive-care-benefits-are-the-top-demands-of-taxpayers\/","url_meta":{"origin":222705,"position":0},"title":"Health Insurance, Home Loans, and Preventive Care Benefits are the top demands of taxpayers.","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"As the Union Budget 2026-27 approaches, Expectations are high among salaried individuals, senior citizens, and high-income earners for significant changes in the new tax regime. With rising living costs, medical inflation, and housing expenses putting pressure on household budgets, tax experts believe the government has an opportunity to fine-tune the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222683,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/16\/trump-unveils-great-healthcare-plan-outlines-diverse-set-of-initiatives\/","url_meta":{"origin":222705,"position":1},"title":"Trump Unveils ‘Great Healthcare Plan’, Outlines Diverse Set of Initiatives","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Trump has unveiled his \"Great Healthcare Plan\", a collection of initiatives aimed at improving the US healthcare system. The plan, announced at a rally in North Carolina, is a grab bag of proposals that include expanding health savings accounts, increasing transparency in medical billing, and lowering prescription drug costs.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222776,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/02\/10\/as-healthcare-costs-continue-to-rise-the-need-for-effective-regulation-of-the-insurance-industry-has-become-increasingly-important-with-medical-expenses-skyrocketing-the-burden-on-individuals-fami\/","url_meta":{"origin":222705,"position":2},"title":"As healthcare costs continue to rise, the need for effective regulation of the insurance industry has become increasingly important. With medical expenses skyrocketing, the burden on individuals, families, and businesses is growing, making it essential to oversee insurance providers to ensure they are operating fairly and in the best interest of their policyholders. Regulations can help prevent exploitative practices, promote transparency, and guarantee that insurance companies are providing adequate coverage to those who need it. By regulating the insurance industry, governments can help mitigate the financial strain of rising healthcare costs and safeguard the well-being of their citizens.","author":"Team Small News","date":"February 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A recent report found that approximately one in five health care claims in Massachusetts were rejected in 2024, highlighting the challenges that many people face in accessing health care services due to insurance issues. In response, the state has introduced new regulations aimed at reducing administrative burdens and improving patient\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222721,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/23\/9-best-countries-for-healthcare-important-info-for-expatssingapore-known-for-its-high-quality-healthcare-system-singapore-offers-excellent-medical-facilities-and-highly-trained-doctors-the-cou\/","url_meta":{"origin":222705,"position":3},"title":"9 Best Countries for Healthcare (Important Info for Expats)\n\n\nSingapore: Known for its high-quality healthcare system, Singapore offers excellent medical facilities and highly trained doctors. The country has a well-organized healthcare system, with both public and private hospitals providing top-notch care.\n\n\nSwitzerland: Switzerland boasts a highly developed healthcare system, with a wide range of medical facilities and specialized treatments available. The country is also home to many international health organizations, including the World Health Organization.\n\n\nJapan: Japan’s healthcare system is renowned for its high standards, with a strong emphasis on preventative care. The country has a large number of high-quality hospitals and medical facilities, and its doctors are highly trained.\n\n\nSweden: Sweden’s healthcare system is known for its equality and accessibility, with everyone having access to high-quality medical care regardless of income. The country also has a strong focus on preventative care and health promotion.\n\n\nCanada: Canada’s healthcare system is publicly funded and provides comprehensive coverage to all citizens. The country has a high standard of medical care, with well-equipped hospitals and highly trained doctors.\n\n\nGermany: Germany has a well-regarded healthcare system, with a wide range of medical facilities and specialized treatments available. The country is also home to many world-class hospitals and research institutions.\n\n\nAustralia: Australia’s healthcare system is known for its high standards, with a strong emphasis on preventative care. The country has a large number of high-quality hospitals and medical facilities, and its doctors are highly trained.\n\n\nNetherlands: The Netherlands has a well-organized healthcare system, with a strong focus on preventative care and health promotion. The country also has a high standard of medical care, with well-equipped hospitals and highly trained doctors.\n\n\nNew Zealand: New Zealand’s healthcare system is publicly funded and provides comprehensive coverage to all citizens. The country has a high standard of medical care, with well-equipped hospitals and highly trained doctors, and a strong emphasis on preventative care and health promotion.","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Comparing healthcare systems internationally is a valuable tool for identifying areas of strength and weakness. These comparisons often evaluate various aspects of healthcare, including the delivery of care, patient outcomes, healthcare expenditures, mortality rates, and access to preventive care. However, it's challenging to determine the \"best\" healthcare system using a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222774,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/02\/09\/the-rising-cost-of-health-care-is-a-complex-issue-with-multiple-contributing-factors-some-of-the-key-reasons-includeadvancements-in-medical-technology-new-treatments-medications-and-equipment\/","url_meta":{"origin":222705,"position":4},"title":"The rising cost of health care is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. Some of the key reasons include:\n\n\nAdvancements in Medical Technology: New treatments, medications, and equipment are continually being developed, which can drive up costs. These advancements often come with a high price tag, contributing to increased healthcare expenditures.\n\n\nAging Population: As the population ages, there is a greater demand for health care services. Older adults typically require more medical care due to age-related health issues, leading to higher costs.\n\n\nChronic Diseases: The prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity has increased. Managing these conditions often requires ongoing, costly treatments and medications.\n\n\nAdministrative Costs: The healthcare system involves a significant amount of administrative work, including billing, insurance claims, and regulatory compliance. These tasks are costly and contribute to the overall expense of healthcare.\n\n\nPharmaceutical Prices: The cost of prescription medications has risen significantly. New and innovative drugs, especially those for rare or complex conditions, can be very expensive.\n\n\nDefensive Medicine: To avoid potential lawsuits, healthcare providers may order additional tests or procedures, which can drive up costs without necessarily improving patient outcomes.\n\n\nInsurance and Payment Systems: The way healthcare is financed, including insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays, can make it inaccessible or unaffordable for many people, affecting the overall cost landscape.\n\n\nHospital and Healthcare Facility Costs: The cost of maintaining and operating hospitals and other healthcare facilities, including staff salaries, equipment, and supplies, contributes to the overall expense of healthcare.\n\n\nRegulatory Compliance: Healthcare providers must comply with a myriad of regulations, which can be costly in terms of time, personnel, and resources.\n\n\nLack of Transparency and Competition: In some areas, limited competition among healthcare providers and a lack of price transparency can lead to higher costs, as consumers may not be able to make informed decisions based on price and quality.","author":"Team Small News","date":"February 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The rising cost of health insurance in the United States is a pressing concern, with premiums for employer-sponsored insurance expected to increase by 9% in 2026. Public spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare is also surging. However, this increase is not due to excessive profits among insurers or hospitals, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222646,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/11\/indias-health-insurance-revolution-insurers-now-prioritize-your-well-being-with-preventive-care-and-substantial-savings\/","url_meta":{"origin":222705,"position":5},"title":"India’s Health Insurance Revolution: Insurers Now Prioritize Your Well-being with Preventive Care and Substantial Savings!","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Indian healthcare system is facing a significant challenge due to rising healthcare costs and the burden of out-of-pocket expenses, which account for over 60% of total healthcare spending. Traditional health insurance in India has primarily focused on hospitalization, leaving everyday medical needs uncovered. However, a strategic shift is underway,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Aditya Birla"","block_context":{"text":"Aditya Birla","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/aditya-birla\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=222705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222705\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=222705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=222705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=222705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}