Complete Summary of Treatment Frequency Based on Motor Vehicle Accident Date — Information from Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic
Author: Director Lee Moon-young (Chief Director, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Law.
After a motor vehicle accident, the most frequently asked question when seeking Korean medicine treatment through auto insurance is "How many times can I receive treatment?" The key point is that the number of approved treatments changes in stages depending on the number of weeks elapsed from the date of injury (accident date). For minor injury patients (sprains, contusions, injury grades 12-14), the same standards apply to both acupuncture with herbal medicine and herbal medication decoctions. Additionally, if treatment exceeds 4 weeks, an obligation to submit a diagnostic certificate is added. Below, I will provide detailed organization by item.
Treatment Frequency Standards for Korean Medicine Based on Motor Vehicle Accident Date
When receiving Korean medicine treatment through auto insurance after a motor vehicle accident, the approved number of treatments decreases in stages based on the number of weeks elapsed from the accident date. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (distributed by Korean Hospital Association, 2026 Auto Insurance Selective Intensive Review Items Notice), the approved number of treatments for acupuncture with herbal medicine, acupuncture procedures, and herbal medication decoction prescriptions for minor injury patients (sprains, contusions, injury grades 12-14) is as follows in the table below.
| Period Elapsed from Date of Injury | Approved Frequency Standard |
|---|---|
| Within 1-3 weeks | Daily (1 time per day) |
| 4-11 weeks | Up to 3 times per week |
| 12-24 weeks | Up to 2 times per week |
| Beyond 24 weeks | Up to 1 time per week |
This standard applies commonly to acupuncture with herbal medicine (including blood stasis acupuncture), acupuncture procedures, and herbal medication decoction prescriptions. However, separate standards may apply for severe patients (injury grade 11 or lower) or hospitalized patients, so it is advisable to first confirm your injury grade. Additionally, if treatment exceeds 4 weeks, an obligation to submit a diagnostic certificate is added, so it is good to understand this aspect in advance before starting treatment.
Approved Treatment Frequency by Weeks Elapsed from Date of Injury — Detailed by Procedure Item
If acupuncture with herbal medicine, acupuncture procedures, and herbal medication decoctions follow the same weekly frequency system, Korean medicine physical therapy and tuina therapy/herbal medication decoction prescription days have slightly different standards applied. Organized by item, it is as follows:
▪ Korean Medicine Physical Therapy (TENS, ICT, etc.)
According to the Insurance Research Institute Research Report (Current Status and Improvement Plan of Auto Insurance Korean Medicine Treatment, 2017), up to 17 days from the date of injury are approved for 1 time per day on an outpatient basis, up to 2 sites. However, from day 18 onward, treatment is limited to 1 time per day on an outpatient basis regardless of the number of sites. It is important to keep this 17-day standard in mind when intensive treatment is needed in the initial period.
▪ Tuina Therapy
Tuina therapy, separate from the weekly frequency standards, follows the principle of 20 basic approved treatments per accident. It is known that additional approval is also possible when the responsible Korean medicine doctor provides an opinion.
▪ Herbal Medication Decoction Prescription Days per Single Prescription
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Announcement (related to Presidential Decree No. 2024-98 of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), a single herbal medication decoction prescription is on the principle of 7 days for minor injury patients, but if there is patient consent and a Korean medicine doctor's opinion, prescription up to 10 days is possible. Billing is calculated at up to 2 decoctions per day.
Please refer to the table below to compare major standards by item at a glance.
| Treatment Item | Key Standard |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture with herbal medicine/Acupuncture procedure | Treatment frequency by week based on date of injury |
| Korean medicine physical therapy | Up to 2 sites per day for 17 days from injury, 1 site per day from day 18 onward |
| Tuina therapy | 20 basic treatments per accident, additional possible with doctor's opinion |
| Herbal medication decoction | Principle of 7-day prescription for minor injury patients, up to 2 decoctions per day |
Since the approval standards for each item may differ somewhat, it is important to thoroughly consult with your responsible Korean medicine doctor about a specific treatment plan before starting treatment.
Approach to Korean Medicine Treatment for Aftereffects Following Motor Vehicle Accidents at Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic
At Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic (formerly Gwangdeok Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic Gangbuk Suyu Branch), prescriptions are carefully adjusted according to the treatment stage based on the date of injury, with a one-week prescription principle to reflect changes in patient condition weekly. Since treatment for aftereffects following motor vehicle accidents requires different approaches at each stage—initial, intermediate, and later—please refer to the workflow below.
▪ Initial Stage (Within 1-3 weeks from injury)
- 3-week individualized herbal medication decoction prescription for blood stasis removal (applicable to auto insurance)
- Acupuncture with herbal medicine procedure to alleviate sudden muscle tension and stiffness
- Customized prescription for initial symptoms including psychological stabilization (Cheongshim-won) and muscle pain relief (patches)
- Detailed examination support via cooperating hospital MRI and X-ray after 1 week from injury
▪ Intermediate Stage (Weeks 4-11 from injury)
- Continuing acupuncture and acupuncture with herbal medicine treatment according to the approved standard of up to 3 times per week
- Implementation of tuina therapy (operated systematically within the range of 20 basic approved treatments per accident)
- Confirming patient progress weekly and adjusting prescriptions on a weekly basis
▪ Later Stage and After Tuina Exhaustion
- Continued spine and joint management using gravity-reducing decompression equipment even after the 20 tuina treatments are exhausted
- Maintaining treatment according to the approved standard of up to 1 time per week (beyond 10 weeks from injury)
Since consultation is available 365 days a year from 8:00 AM through evening, immediate visits are possible immediately after an accident. Treatment schedules can be conveniently booked through Naver Reservation without phone calls. The nearby Garden Tower (328 Dobong-ro) parking lot is also available for free use, so there is no inconvenience for visits by personal vehicle.
Limitations and Scope of Application — Self-Check Necessary in These Cases
Before planning Korean medicine treatment through auto insurance, confirming the following in advance can prevent unnecessary disadvantages.
▪ Obligation to Submit Diagnostic Certificate When Treatment Exceeds 4 Weeks
According to news reports affiliated with Yonhapnews (Daum News), with the auto insurance standard agreement revised in January 2023, the insurance company's guaranteed initial payment period for minor injury patients (injury grades 12-14) is limited to 4 weeks from the date of injury. If the treatment period exceeds 4 weeks, a diagnostic certificate specifying the treatment period must be submitted, and if not submitted, the insurance company may refuse to pay medical expenses.
▪ Latest Trends Related to Long-term Treatment of 8 Weeks or More
According to the Seoul STV News (2026.3.11) report, starting April 2026, when minor injury patients (grades 12-14) receive long-term treatment of 8 weeks or more, they must submit additional documents such as medical records to the insurance company, a standard that is being discussed and implemented. If long-term treatment is planned, it is advisable to prepare countermeasures in advance with the responsible Korean medicine doctor.
▪ Additional Record Obligation When Herbal Medication Decoction Exceeds 12 Weeks
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Announcement, if herbal medication decoction medication exceeds 12 weeks from the date of injury, the reason for prescription, treatment progress, and future treatment plan must be separately recorded and submitted in the medical record.
▪ Self-Check Checklist
- Have you confirmed that your injury grade is 12-14 (minor injury)?
- Have you prepared a diagnostic certificate before 4 weeks from the date of injury?
- Are you aware of the remaining number of tuina therapy treatments?
- Have you consulted in advance with the responsible Korean medicine doctor if treatment beyond 8 weeks is expected?
- Have you confirmed whether additional documents must be submitted if herbal medication decoction prescription exceeds 12 weeks?
If you are looking for Korean medicine treatment for motor vehicle accident aftereffects near Suyu Station, you can visit Suyu Station Motor Vehicle Accident Korean Medicine Clinic, and those residing in the Dobong-gu/Nowon area can also visit as Dobong-gu Motor Vehicle Accident Korean Medicine Treatment and Nowon Motor Vehicle Accident Auto Insurance Korean Medicine Clinic at Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic.
Confirm Treatment Direction After Motor Vehicle Accident Through Consultation
The appropriate direction for your specific case can be confirmed through consultation. Please begin systematic management of aftereffects following a motor vehicle accident at Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic (near exit 3 of Suyu Station, open 365 days).
Even if the approved number of treatments based on the date of injury follows the same standard, actual treatment plans differ for each individual since injury grade, degree of symptoms, and recovery speed vary from patient to patient. Treatment extension or item adjustment may be possible depending on the responsible Korean medicine doctor's opinion, so it is recommended to first confirm your specific situation in detail through an in-person consultation.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic provides consultation 365 days a year, open year-round from 8:00 AM through evening, enabling immediate visits immediately after an accident. Treatment schedules can be conveniently booked through Naver Reservation without phone calls, and the nearby large Garden Tower (328 Dobong-ro) parking lot is available for free use, making visits by personal vehicle convenient. Treatment can be received comfortably in a private treatment space without concern for others' attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can auto insurance be applied if I visit a Korean medicine clinic on the day of the accident?
Yes, auto insurance can be applied even if you visit on the day of the accident. Since treatment is approved daily within 1 week from the date of injury, visiting quickly after an accident is advantageous for initial blood stasis management and tension relief. However, insurance processing procedures may vary depending on the insurance company and accident circumstances, so please confirm with the responsible Korean medicine doctor upon visit.
Q2. When exactly does a "week" based on the date of injury end?
The week is calculated with the date of injury (accident date) as day 1, and the 7th day is counted as "one week from the date of injury." For example, if an accident occurred on Monday, the following Sunday would be the end of the first week. It is safe to confirm the exact date calculation with the responsible Korean medicine doctor or insurance company.
Q3. Can I not receive treatment at all if I exhaust all 20 tuina therapy treatments?
Treatment is not completely discontinued after exhausting all 20 tuina treatments. Even after exhausting tuina treatments, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic provides continued spine and joint management using gravity-reducing decompression equipment. Other Korean medicine treatment items such as acupuncture and acupuncture with herbal medicine can continue according to remaining approved frequencies.
Q4. If I still have pain after 4 weeks, can I continue treatment?
Continued treatment itself is possible. However, according to the auto insurance standard agreement revised in January 2023, minor injury patients (injury grades 12-14) who continue treatment beyond 4 weeks must submit a diagnostic certificate specifying the treatment period to the insurance company. Without the diagnostic certificate, the insurance company may refuse to pay medical expenses, so please consult in advance with the responsible Korean medicine doctor and prepare the diagnostic certificate before the 4-week mark is reached.
Q5. Can I receive both Korean medicine and Western medicine treatment simultaneously with auto insurance coverage?
It is known that when combining Korean medicine and Western medicine treatment, each can be covered by auto insurance. However, issues such as duplicate billing of the same items or coordination between treatment facilities may occur, so it is good to confirm in advance with each medical institution and the responsible insurance company regarding the possibility and procedures for concurrent treatment.
ℹ️ Procedural effects vary from person to person, so please make a decision after consulting with a specialist.