The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review Assessment board of Korea have decided recently on November 16, 2022 to register NGS-CDx tests (used on non-small cell cancer) to qualify for national health insurance coverage in Korea.  The NGS-CDx test that qualifies for national health insurance coverage includes tests on 23 types of genes (e.g. BRAF, ROS1, EDFR etc.) found in non-small cell lung cancer and recommends the optimal drug/medication for each patient (e.g. TAFINLAR/MEKINIST, XALKORI, IRESSA etc.). The value determined for NGS-CDx test has been 9,626.88 points (which is approx. KRW 750,896 - USD 600 in monetary value). 

This new development in national health insurance coverage is expected to expand NGS-CDx coverage for other various forms of cancer in addition to non-small cell lung cancer.  Please feel free to reach out to us at (pro@mdrex.co.kr) if you have any questions regarding this topic or any other questions you may have on medical devices in the Korean market.