South Korea’s Lee orders review of insurance cover for hereditary hair loss

Lee said attitudes towards hair loss had shifted, particularly among younger people, with some now regarding treatment as essential rather than optional.

He said the government should consider whether public insurance should reflect this change, describing hair loss treatment as a “matter of survival” for sections of the younger generation.

Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong, responding to a question during the briefing, said national health insurance already covers hair loss linked to medical conditions. She said hereditary hair loss was excluded because it is not considered symptomatic or life-threatening.

Lee challenged that position, questioning whether hereditary baldness should be excluded solely because it is not defined as a disease under current standards.

He said that while hair loss treatment had previously been categorised as cosmetic, it was increasingly regarded as necessary for everyday life, pushing back against the view that it fell outside the scope of essential healthcare.

Jeong maintained that hereditary hair loss did not meet the criteria for coverage, reiterating that it does not pose a direct threat to health or survival.

Lee suggested that if coverage were expanded, limits could be placed on the number of claims allowed per beneficiary to reduce the financial impact on the state-run insurance system.

He said a similar approach could be applied to other conditions, such as obesity, noting that South Korea already covers surgical stomach reduction under national health insurance and implying drug treatments could also be considered.

Lee added that social exclusion among younger people was growing, saying many no longer felt they were beneficiaries of government-funded medical support when they needed it.