Firefighter nursing fees, which have remained unchanged since 2009, will be increased. Along with the increase in nursing care costs, the upper limit of medical expenses will also increase until it reaches the average price of medical institutions nationwide.
On the 15th, the government announced that it would pay the actual expenses by raising the nursing rate to a maximum of 150,000 won per day for injuries sustained while carrying out official duties to protect people’s lives and safety, and also raising the limit maximum medical expenses at the average price of healthcare institutions nationwide. “Plan to make medical and nursing costs realistic for public employees” announced.
According to the National Fire Agency, over the past 10 years the number of firefighters injured while carrying out dangerous duties such as firefighting, rescue and first aid is 5,021 and the number increases every year. It increased from 246 in 2014 to 808 in 2023.
Graphics = Chosun Design Lab Kwon Hye-in
However, the daily nursing rate paid amounts to 67,140 won. It has remained the same since it was designated in 2009. However, with this revision, it was decided to pay up to 150,000 won per day when hiring a professional healthcare worker, regardless of the level of nursing care.
Furthermore, in the case of medical expenses (diagnosis, treatment costs), among the costs of nursing services currently applied to public employees, 22 items lower than the average price of medical institutions nationwide will be brought to the average price, and 6 items not recognized as costs of nursing care services (non-invasive) It was decided to add to the performance items pain-free signal therapy, plantar pressure measurement, heart rate variability test, modified albumin test, of atherosclerosis and the amyloid A test.
If there is a medical opinion that burns treatment is necessary, the cost of the treatment is recognized even if it is not designated as a healthcare benefit.
Firefighter Kim Gyu-bin, admitted to Yangpyeong-gun National Transport Rehabilitation Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, in April last year, gets out of bed with the help of his mother to use a wheelchair . / Fire Department Administration
Indeed, the number of injured firefighters is increasing, but because nursing costs remain the same, treatment is often difficult. Firefighter Kim Gyu-bin (31), a member of the Changwon Fire Department, was hit by a 5-6 meter tree during Typhoon Hinnamno in September 2022, fracturing his cervical spine and paralyzing all four limbs. Firefighter Kim’s mother quit her job to take care of her son.
Expenses for treatment of firefighters who suffer burns are also recognized. The costs of burn ointment and skin rehabilitation treatment for members injured in the fire of a bathhouse explosion in Dong-gu, Busan, in September 2023 are expected to be awarded. Firefighter Kang Mo, who He was being treated for burns at the time, said: “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to repay my medical bills, but I’m happy that I was able to repay my medical bills through this measure.” Firefighter Choi, who reported burns to his arm while fighting a fire in July 2021, will receive support towards the cost of a robotic prosthetic arm.
The National Fire Agency said: “We will prepare measures to reduce safety-related incidents so that teams on the ground can carry out firefighting activities with peace of mind, while continuing discussions with related ministries, including the Ministry of staff management, to ensure that full support is provided.” to the rescue teams,” he said.
Meanwhile, in December last year, President Yoon Seok-yeol said: “To protect people’s lives and safety, we must quickly reorganize related systems and regulations to ensure that there is no shortage of support for treatment and nursing expenses . for accidents suffered in the performance of official duties”.
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