Covering Hair Loss Drugs Under National Health Insurance Estimated to Cost Up to 179.7 Billion Won Annually, Fueling Debate

As the size of the domestic hair loss treatment market grows, social discussions regarding whether to cover hair loss treatments—which have been in the blind spot of health insurance—under national health insurance are beginning in earnest.

With the supply value of prescription drugs for hair loss treatment supplied to pharmacies and hospitals increasing every year, the government plans to hold a policy forum to hear directly from the public and establish a milestone for system improvement.

According to data including the 'Supply Status of Hair Loss Treatment Drugs' and 'Status of Alopecia Patients and Detailed Claims' received from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service by the office of Representative Kim Sun-min of the Rebuilding Korea Party on the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee today (June 22), the supply value of hair loss treatments requiring a doctor's prescription has steadily increased from 216,425,820,000 won in 2022 to 256,833,310,000 won in 2025.

During the same period, the supply volume of treatments also increased significantly from 295,736,309 units in 2022 to 446,321,335 units in 2025.

Even in 2026, the growth trend shows no signs of stopping, with 157,271,177 units of treatment worth 86,459,300,000 won already supplied as of April.

The number of patients visiting hospitals due to hair loss symptoms also remains in the hundreds of thousands every year.

According to the detailed claims status for alopecia, the number of patients treated for alopecia was 250,573 in 2022, 247,382 in 2023, 241,217 in 2024, and 237,009 in 2025, ranging between 230,000 and 250,000 every year.

In 2026, 115,028 patients visited hospitals by April.

By gender, as of 2025, there were more male patients at 134,155 than female patients at 102,854, but women still accounted for about 43.4% of the total, proving that the condition affects both genders.

By age group, demand from those in their 20s to 40s, who form the backbone of economic activity, accounts for more than half of the total.

As of 2025, patients in their 40s were the most numerous at 53,489, followed by those in their 30s (50,712), 50s (46,539), and 20s (35,803).

By specific condition, patients with alopecia areata made up the vast majority at 175,493, followed by other non-scarring hair loss (29,583), androgenic alopecia (23,941), and scarring alopecia (11,779).

The medical expenses paid by patients to hospitals are also on an upward trend every year.

The total medical expenses for alopecia increased annually from 36,697,940,000 won in 2022 to 39,275,270,000 won in 2025.

This figure represents the sum of consultation fees and examination costs incurred purely at hospitals, excluding pharmacy prescriptions or direct dispensing costs.

Accordingly, as of 2025, when combining the pure cost of medicine spent by patients and hospital medical expenses, the annual cost of hair loss treatment exceeds 290 billion won.

As astronomical costs are incurred, social demand for health insurance coverage is rising.

As President Lee Jae-myung ordered a review of health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment drugs, related discussions began to catch fire.

If coverage is implemented, the financial burden on health insurance will vary depending on the co-payment rate.

Based on a simple calculation using the 2025 supply value of prescription drugs, if a 30% co-payment rate is applied—where patients pay 30% of the drug cost—health insurance would have to cover approximately 179.7 billion won. If the co-payment rate is 50%, it is estimated that around 128.4 billion won in funding would be required.

Those in favor of expanding health insurance coverage for hair loss treatments argue that hair loss is a real illness that seriously degrades the quality of life and causes depression or social anxiety.

In particular, they position that for young people facing employment and marriage, hair loss treatment is not cosmetic but an essential treatment for survival and social reintegration, and that the economic burden—which individuals must bear entirely because it is currently non-reimbursable—should be eased.

On the other hand, opponents emphasize that the purpose of the health insurance system is to protect citizens from severe illnesses directly linked to life.

They worry that if hair loss caused by aging or genetics is covered when funding for patients with severe illnesses like cancer or cardiovascular diseases is already insufficient, urgent patients could suffer, ultimately leading to an increase in health insurance premiums for the entire public.

To resolve this conflict, alternative approaches are suggested instead of unconditional full implementation or exclusion.

One option is to selectively provide benefits to young people who are socially active but have a weak economic foundation, or to vulnerable groups below a certain income threshold.

Another reasonable alternative is to run a pilot project targeting a specific age group or scope, and then decide whether to expand it after analyzing the financial impact and public satisfaction.

Accordingly, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Health and Welfare will provide a platform for citizens to directly seek alternatives to this issue where interests and social values clash.

The 1st "Everyone's Forum," co-hosted by both ministries, will be held on Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Yonsei University Baekyang Nuri Grand Ballroom.

The outcomes derived from this forum, based on learning materials and expert presentations, will be utilized in the future process of actual system improvements, such as amending the Enforcement Decree of the National Health Insurance Act or related notifications by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.  
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.