The scoop on medical coverage in Korea
Published: 13 Sep. 2009, 21:15
Many hospitals, clinics, traditional Eastern medicine facilities and private practitioners’ offices are equipped with the latest equipment and offer a variety of practices and services.
As the number of foreigners residing in Korea increases, the number of available medical service providers has been rising as well.
In order to receive quality medical service in Korea, insurance is viewed as a must.
Citizens therefore are required to participate in four major insurance plans: the national pension program, national health insurance, unemployment insurance and disaster insurance.
There can be slight differences in the applicability of these to foreign residents, depending on visa status, but a majority of expats who are employed in Korea are covered by all four.
When a foreign resident receives medical insurance, they get the same benefits as a Korean national.
The patient is responsible for 20 percent to 50 percent of medical care fees and 30 percent of the cost of medicine purchased at a pharmacy.
In order to ensure a healthy stay in Korea, it is a good idea to be aware of the way the health insurance system works.
Q. I heard that there are two types of insurance offered in Korea’s national health insurance program. Can you explain in detail?
A. There are indeed two types: insurance for the employed and insurance for the self-employed.
Any foreigner who works at a company with at least five regular employees is eligible for enrollment in the employed insurance program.
Any dependents of the employee - including children under the age of 20 - are also eligible for coverage under the plan.
The employer is required to report the start of employment to the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) in order for the employee’s health insurance to be valid.
It is the employer’s duty to report to the NHIC. Health insurance takes effect from the day the employee starts working until he or she stops.
Still, problems can arise.
For example, those who are currently working in Korea yet are still receiving health insurance from their home countries may find that they are being required to pay for insurance in both countries.
To resolve these situations, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in July of 2007 changed laws related to insurance requirements, allowing foreign workers here as well as overseas Koreans who have foreign health insurance to opt out of participating in the national health insurance program under certain circumstances.
I want to receive self-employed insurance. What should I do?
Self-employed health insurance is available for those who do not meet the requirements for receiving health insurance for the employed.
To qualify, you must be registered with the Korean Immigration Office and have an alien registration card or a resident identification card (F4 visa holders). You also must have one of the following visas: D-1 to 9, E-1 to 10, F-1 to 5 or H-2.
Insurance payments are calculated retroactively from the date of alien registration.
Is it possible for a foreigner who is currently receiving regional health care to voluntarily withdraw, for personal reasons, from the health insurance program?
Voluntary exemption is not possible. However, you can apply for an exemption from the national health insurance plan at certain times: the day after the conclusion of your allowed stay in Korea (according to your visa); the day after forced removal from Korea by immigration; the day after exiting Korea (not applicable if your time out of the country is less than one month); the day you become employed or become the dependent of one who is employed; and, in the event that medical insurance costs are not paid, the first of the month following the payment period (e.g. if the payment period was until March 20, therefore, you must wait until April 1).
How is the cost of health insurance calculated for foreigners and overseas Koreans?
Visiting and sojourning foreigners are generally subject to the same premium rate as Korean nationals.
For those with identifiable income, the monthly contribution is your monthly income times the contribution rate (currently 5.08 percent) plus the long-term insurance premium (which is your health insurance premium times the long-term insurance premium rate of 4.78 percent).
Religious workers holding D-6 visas receive a 30 percent reduction, while foreign students holding D-2 visas get a 50 percent discount.
In the event the foreigner has no income, or income information is unavailable, the monthly contribution is 66,900 won ($54.79).
If the incorrect amount is charged, or you were overcharged, you may report it to the NHIC to help get the situation resolved.
For detailed inquiries related to health insurance, visit the NHIC Web site at www.nhic.or.kr or contact the NHIC call center at (02) 390-2000 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday (English speakers available).
Services are available in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces.
Information provided by
By Ryu Myung-soo Contributing writer [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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