National Health Insurance System in Korea for Foreigners
Are you planning a trip to Korea?
If so, you need to know about the National Health Insurance System (NHIS). The NHIS is a universal healthcare system that covers all residents of Korea, including foreign visitors.
Check the below
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The Purpose of NHIS
The purpose of this social security system is to promote social security and improve national health of the citizens of Korea and foreigners residing in Korea by providing insurance benefits regarding the treatments of, but not limited to, illnesses and injuries. Requirements
Requirements
General Requirements
- Persons registered as aliens in pursuant of Article 31 of the "Immigration Control Law".
- Persons who have reported residence in Korea in pursuance of Article 6 of the "Act on Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Korea".
- Persons who are registered as residents according to Article 6 of the "Resident Registration Law:'
Employed Foreigners
- Employees hired by a Health Insurance Applied Establishment.
- Foreigners who are employed at an Applied Establishment are covered by default.
- French Health Insurance Employed Subscribers are eligible for facultative application (Social Security Agreement Concluded).
- Foreigners who are employed at an Applied Establishment are covered by default.
- Following Employed Subscribers may request exemption from subscription.
- Medically insured persons by foreign law or insurance.
- Medically insured persons subsequent to contracts with the employer.
Local Subscribers
- Those who are not insured as an Employed Subscribers or a Dependent, but holds one of the following visas may personally subscribe for insurance.
- Visa:
- F1- (Visiting or joining family), F2- (Resident), F3- (Accompanying spouse), F4- (Overseas Korean), F5- (Permanent resident), F6- (Marriage to Korean Citizen),
- D1- (Artist), D2- (Students), D3- (Industrial trainee), D4- (General trainee), D5- (Journalism), D6- (Religion). D7- (Business supervisor), D8- (Corporate investor), D9- (International trade), D-10(Job hunting).
- E1- (Profesor), E2- (Foreign language instructor). E3- (Research). E4- (Technology transfer). E5- (Professional employment), E6- (Artistic performer), E7- (Designated activities). E9- (Non-professional employment), E-10 (Vesel crew),
- H-1 (Working holiday), H2- (Working visit), and Korean nationals
If you need more information on Korea visa, visit this site.
Registration Process & Required Documents
Employed Subscribers
- The employer of the establishment must include a copy of an Alien Registration Card (Domestic Residence Report Card) or a Proof of Alien Registration Report (Proof of Domestic Residence Report) ni order to apply for insurance.
Local Subscribers
- Local Subscribers may apply for insurance by directly submitting the Alien Registration Card (Domestic Residence Report Card) or a Proof of Alien Registration Report (Proof of Domestic Residence Report), along with 1 copy of the required document specified for the type of Visa held by the applicant indicated in Appendix 01 of the Enforcement Regulations of the National Health Insurance Act to a branch office of the Corporation.
Qualifying Time Period
Employed Subscribers
- During the period of employment at the establishment.
Employee Dependent
- During the period applied for insurance. However, if reported within 90 days of the incident date, insurance may be backdated as if obtained on the incident date.
Local Subscriber
- 3 months after the date entering Korea (final admittance date)
- If there are reasons ot believe the applicant wil reside in Korea for more than 3 months subsequent to work,studying abroad or marriage, the qualifying time period may be the date of entering Korea.
Contribution Billing & Payment
Local Subscriber
- Alien with Visa allowing the identification of income (wage) (D-3, D-5-9, E-1-7, E-9-10, H-1-2)
- Monthly Contribution = Monthly Remuneration Amount * Rate of Contribution equivalent to Employed Subscribers
- A 30% discount on the calculated contribution will apply for Aliens with D-6[Religion) Visas
- If the calculated contribution is less than the average local subscriber household contribution rate at the end of the previous year, the average local subscriber household contribution rate at the end of the previous year will be imposed.
- Alien with on income or Visa with difficulties identifying income[D-1-2, D-4, D-10. F-3]
- The average local subscriber household contribution rate at the end of the previous year will be imposed
- A 50% discount on the calculated contribution will apply for D4 (General Training) and D2 (Study Abroad) Visa holders
- Permanent Resident Alien [Visiting (F1), Resident (F2), Permanent Resident (F5), Marriage Immigrant (F6)]
- Monthly contribution imposed and billed in equivalent with local residents.
- Contribution of Overseas Koreans (F-4) and Korean Nationals shall be equivalent with local subscribers.
- If the calculated contribution is less than the average local subscriber household contribution rate at the end of the previous year, the average local subscriber household contribution rate at the end of the previous year will be imposed.
- A 50% discount on the calculated contribution will apply for students considered to be studying abroad in Korea
- Local subscribers who are alien(Korean Nationals) shall be subject to monthly contributions,
and the monthly contribution shall be paid prior to the 25th of the previous month.
- Contribution incurred subsequent to backdating of qualification shall be incorporated into the initial bill for collection.
Insurance Benefits
- Foreigners are applicable for the same insurance benefits as Korean citizens.
- The corporation will cover 80% of medical expenses for hospitalizations, and approximately 40-70% of medical expenses for out-patient visits. Moreover, payment assistance concerning expenses for childbirth and such are provided, and a variety of other subscriber support services are provided to offer health information and promote the prevention of diseases.