Are you living in Korea for longer than six months? Well, then you must learn about Korean health insurance for foreigners. The Korean National Healthcare Insurance Service (NHIS) program states that any foreigner residing in the Korean state for six months must get Healthcare Insurance.ย
Now, you must be wondering if a long and complex insurance process is waiting for you ahead. Fortunately, itโs nothing like that. The Korean health insurance for foreigners is pretty simple and you can get through it only if you follow a few easy steps.
Korean Health Insurance for Foreigners
Before anything, check if you are on a sponsored visa. In a sponsored visa case, you donโt have to worry about the enrolment process. On the other hand, if you are a freelancer or self-employed then you must pay about 114,000 won (USD 94) a month for your health insurance.
What Health Insurance for Foreigners Covers?
Undoubtedly, thatโs the most important and most frequently asked question. People are really curious to know which extinct the Korean government is willing to facilitate them.
The health insurance will cover about 50% to 80% of your medical expenses. It will cover the following things:
- Frequent medical visits
- General medication and procedures
- Prescribed medicine expense
- All expense if an employee gets an injury at the worksite
However, you cannot avail the Health Insurance for Foreigners in case of an accident or a major physical injury.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance for Foreigners?
Criteriaย
You are eligible for health insurance if you fall in any of these categories:
- A foreigner living in Korea for the last 6 months
- You are working in Korea as a freelancer
- You are on a non-tourist visa
- You are a Korean resident who lives abroad but itโs been six months since you are residing in Korea
Tourists and students from D2 and D4 category cannot apply for Health Insurance for Foreigners.
Get Registered Via Your Company
If you are working here, in a Korean company then you have to apply for health insurance through your company. Considering your salary, the NHIS office will inform you about your monthly insurance contribution. From a total of 6.46%, you and your employer will have to pay about 3.23% for your monthly health insurance contribution.ย
Your enrolment process will be completed by your company as it is their responsibility. All you have to is provide them with your ARC (Alien Registration Card). You donโt even need to visit the NHIS offices for your health insurance.
Health Insurance Guide for Self-employed/Freelancers and Unemployed Individuals
In case you are self-employed/freelancer or an unemployed individual then you have to apply for insurance all by yourself. Similarly, if you are a student from H1 and F2 to F6 category then the enrolment process is solely your responsibility.ย ย
Donโt worry; just sit down and read our guide carefully. Once you get everything, visit the office and get everything done as soon as possible.
- Find the nearest Korean National Healthcare Insurance Service Office and visit it.
- Apply for enrolment in Community Health Insurance.
- Your Alien Registration Card has all the information so just give it to the clerk.
- If you have any dependent, make sure they also have the same address. The clerk will surely inquire about this.
- Soon National Healthcare Insurance Service Office will issue you a passbook that is the major proof of your insurance. Keep it safe.ย
- To get the passbook you have to prepay for a month. If it hasnโt been a month since your 6-month residing period got over then you will pay according to the surpassed days. For instance, if you are applying after 9 months of residing in Korea then you will have to pay for three months.
In case, you are making a switch from employed insurance to freelance or unemployed insurance then there will be no retroactive pay. However, you still need to visit the National Healthcare Insurance Service Office.ย
For the payment process, we suggest you set up a monthly automatic transfer. As every payment is due by the 10th of every month so it will be convenient for you to clear the bill without any inconvenience.
Are you leaving Korea?
You should know that Health Insurance for Foreigners must be suspended or terminated before they leave Korea. So if you are planning to fly away, no matter for a short time or longer period, you must get your health insurance suspended. If your visit is for more than a month, then your insurance will deactivate automatically.
Are you worried about how you will have to renew your insurance after returning to Korea? You will have to wait for another six months to get your health insurance.
We hope that our guide was quite helpful and you donโt have any more misconceptions.
