Impact of Traditional Korean Medicine Use on Medical Costs in Patients with Cancer in Korea

TKM use among cancer patients was associated with reduced CAM costs but not with WM costs. The CAM cost-saving effect was more substantial in long-term survivors, suggesting a shift toward institutionalized TKM use; however, increased TKM spending did not further reduce CAM costs. These findings imply a need for policies that promote evidence-based, appropriate TKM use to improve healthcare cost efficiency.