Gyeonggi Climate Insurance Heat-Related Illness Diagnosis Benefits Surge 2.2-Fold

Gyeonggi Province announced that heat-related illness diagnosis benefits paid out this year through the 'Gyeonggi Climate Insurance' have exceeded the cumulative payout performance of last year's climate insurance by more than twofold.

This payout performance is attributed to the scorching heat wave that occurred this summer. According to Gyeonggi Province on the 26th, from April 11 to October 21 this year, 222.8 million won was paid out in heat-related illness diagnosis benefits for 1,472 cases. In 2025, the cumulative payout for heat-related illness diagnosis benefits under the climate insurance was 65.5 million won for 655 cases.

Gyeonggi Climate Insurance is a program that provides residents diagnosed with infectious diseases such as tsutsugamushi disease, Lyme disease, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome with 200,000 won in diagnosis benefits according to eligibility requirements.

The total payout performance for Gyeonggi Climate Insurance this year as of October 21 is 259,410 cases and 752.2 million won. By category, medical outpatient benefits for climate-vulnerable groups accounted for the largest portion at 242,000 cases and 484 million won, followed by heat-related illness diagnosis benefits.

Even after the summer heat wave has passed, Gyeonggi Province is actively promoting the coverage of climate insurance to prepare for seasonal climate risks including fall infectious diseases and winter cold spells.

In winter, the insurance also covers cold-related illnesses due to cold waves and accidents from climate disasters such as heavy snowfall. Residents diagnosed with cold-related illnesses receive 150,000 won, and those diagnosed for four weeks or more due to climate disaster-related accidents occurring on days when weather alerts such as heavy snowfall are in effect can receive 300,000 won in accident consolation benefits.

Gyeonggi Climate Insurance automatically enrolls residents registered in Gyeonggi Province without requiring a separate enrollment procedure, and registered foreign residents and foreign nationals of Korean descent are also included in the coverage.

Park Dae-geun, director of the Environmental Health and Safety Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Many residents who suffered health damage from this summer's heat wave received support through Gyeonggi Climate Insurance," and added, "We are strengthening publicity to ensure that residents receive necessary support for seasonal climate risks, including fall infectious diseases and winter cold spells."