COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction 검사 급여기준 변경에 따른 선별진료소 운영현황: 서울시 일개 병원의 사례

Abstract

Background: To figure out repeated reimbursement criteria changes for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests influencing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirmed cases in Korea COVID-19 pandemic era. Methods: From January 2020 to February 2022, participants who visited a screening center for COVID-19 confirmation in Seoul were included. Data was investigated participant’s reason for getting screening tests and reimbursement rates among the cases. And after the whole investigation period was divided into three groups according to the reimbursement criteria changes, COVID-19 positive ratio was compared in each period with the number of cases that were positive in Korea. Results: Retrospectively, the period of applying the most recent reimbursement criteria shows the highest positive COVID-19 diagnosis ratio among the periods. Additionally possible cases that have symptoms and epidemiologic correlation were the most positive COVID-19 diagnosis ratio. Most recent reimbursement criteria have a more strict selection than previous criteria, and the result shows that more strict criteria leads to a higher test positivity rate. Conclusion: According to the results found in the present study, reimbursement criteria for the COVID-19 screening test has changed to be performed more efficiently. If we study the COVID-19 diagnosis rate and quarantine effect according to the PCR test reimbursement criteria, we will be able to develop more efficient screening clinics for infectious diseases in the future.