Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Diagnosis, Treatment, Coverage for Medical Expenses, and Living with IBD. - Diagnosis - Treatment - Coverage for Medical Expenses - Living with IBD
Irritable bowel syndrome is a different disease.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are autoimmune diseases (inflammatory bowel diseases, IBD) that cause chronic inflammation in the intestines, and they are completely different from stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome.
- If you experience abdominal pain or diarrhea for several weeks or longer, or if you have bloody stools, weight loss, or diarrhea that wakes you up at night, a colonoscopy is necessary.
- It often begins at a young age (10s to 30s).
- Diagnosis is made through endoscopy and biopsy, and treatment is provided in the gastroenterology department.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Treatment and medical expenses - Be sure to understand the "assessment exemption" system.
The treatment goal is not necessarily complete remission, but rather to suppress inflammation and maintain a "remission state" for as long as possible. Medications are used in stages, from anti-inflammatory drugs to immunomodulators and biological agents (injections).
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are covered under the rare and intractable diseases special benefit program. Registration reduces out-of-pocket costs to 10%, significantly alleviating the financial burden of expensive biological agent treatments (registration information is available at the hospital's billing department).
- If you stop taking your medication arbitrarily because your symptoms have improved, it will relapse.
- Smoking cessation is part of Crohn's disease treatment (smoking clearly worsens the condition).
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Meals and daily life.
There is no "IBD diet" that suits everyone. When symptoms are severe, it's realistic to reduce irritating foods and high-fiber foods, and during periods of remission, to eat a balanced diet while keeping track of foods that cause problems for you. The experiences of others who are going through the same thing can be a great source of strength, so please share your stories in the chat room below.
Frequently asked questions
Can Crohn's disease be cured?
Currently, this is a disease that requires "management" rather than a cure. However, treatments are rapidly advancing, and many people are able to maintain their daily lives and work while in remission. It's important to continue treatment consistently rather than becoming discouraged at the initial diagnosis.
How do you register for the special tax deduction?
After confirmation, you need to submit the "Application for Registration of Special Calculation under National Health Insurance," which is issued by a doctor, to the hospital's billing department or the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). The registration takes effect from the date of registration and needs to be renewed every 5 years.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-13)Last checked: 2026년 8월 13일
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