Herbal medicine evaluation for reimbursement-based facial palsy (HERB-FP): a retrospective analysis using Korean health insurance claim data 2020–2024

Herbal decoctions prescribed under the Korean pilot reimbursement program for FP showed a low incidence of adverse events and moderate rates of symptom improvement, suggesting a potentially safe and effective treatment option based on large-scale real-world data. These findings support the continued integration of herbal medicine into national health policy. However, limitations include the absence of clinical grading and reliance on administrative data. As the second-phase program expands in scope and duration, further research should explore its long-term clinical and economic outcomes to guide evidence-based healthcare policy development.