A person who falls within the range of eligible recipients of medical benefits under Article 12-3 (2) of the National Basic Living Security Act, who is recognized as a refugee under the Refugee Act, shall be deemed an eligible recipient. <Amended by Act No. 12933, Dec. 30, 2014>
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 11878, Jun. 12, 2013]

(1) The following institutions providing medical benefits shall provide medical benefits; in such cases, where the Minister of Health and Welfare deems that any of the following institutions is inappropriate as an institution providing medical benefits in terms of the public interest or national policy measures, he or she may exclude such institution from institutions providing medical benefits, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: <Amended on Jan. 15, 2019>

1. A medical institution established pursuant to the Medical Service Act;

2. A community health center, community medical center, or branch of a community health center established pursuant to the Regional Public Health Act;

3. A public dispensary established pursuant to the Act on the Special Measures for Public Health and Medical Services in Agricultural and Fishing Villages;

4. A pharmacy that is opened and registered pursuant to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act or the Korea Orphan and Essential Drug Center established pursuant to Article 91 of that Act.

(2) Institutions providing medical benefits shall be classified as follows, and the scope of medical treatment by each institution providing medical benefits shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare:

1. Primary institutions providing medical benefits:

(a) A medical institution that has reported the establishment thereof pursuant to Article 33 (3) of the Medical Service Act;

(b) An institution providing medical benefits under paragraph (1) 2 through 4;

2. Secondary institutions providing medical benefits: Medical institutions that have obtained permission for the establishment thereof pursuant to the former part of Article 33 (4) of the Medical Service Act;

3. Tertiary institutions providing medical benefits: Medical institutions designated by the Minister of Health and Welfare among secondary institutions providing medical benefits.

(3) No institution providing medical benefits under any subparagraph of paragraph (1) shall refuse to provide medical benefits under this Act without justifiable grounds.

(4) Where an institution providing medical benefits under any subparagraph of paragraph (1) is opened or established, or where the reported, permitted, and registered matters of an institution providing medical benefits opened or established have been changed, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall notify the following specialized institutions of the details thereof, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare: <Amended by Act No. 14697, Mar. 21, 2017>

1. A specialized institution that is entrusted with examination and adjustment of expenses incurred in providing medical benefits (hereinafter referred to as "expenses for benefits"), evaluation of the propriety of medical benefits, and confirmation of eligibility for benefits pursuant to Article 33 (2) (hereinafter referred to as "institution examining expenses for benefits");

2. A specialized institution entrusted with affairs concerning reimbursement for expenses for benefits pursuant to Article 33 (2) (hereinafter referred to as "institution reimbursing expenses for benefits").

(5) Matters necessary for the criteria and procedures for designation of tertiary institutions providing medical benefits under paragraph (2) 3 shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 12, 2013]