1.  What is the National Health Insurance in Korea?

To enhance the public health and strengthen social security, the national health insurance provides health care benefits against illnesses and injuries for insured persons. Insured persons under the NHI program are classified into two categories: the employed insured and the self-employed insured.  Anyone who has resided in Korea for longer than 3 months and is either employed by a company or self-employed is required to have NHI.  If you enter Korea and then later become employed or self-employed NHI contributions will be retroactive, regardless of the day you sign up for NHI.  

How do you sign up for it, and what documents are required?

- For the employee insured, an application form for enrollment and the certificate of foreign registration should be submitted.

- Those who wish to apply to be insured independent of an employer should visit their nearest NHIC branch office with proof of alien registration.

-The coverage for foreigners at workplaces under the NHI has been compulsory.

-Employees can be excluded from application as of July 31, 2007 who are:

• foreigners and receiving medical benefits under foreign law and insurance.
• receiving medical benefits under contract with employer. But for holders of E-9 (Non-professional Employment: Migrant workers) and H-2 (Chinese –Korean Ethnic) visa holders, benefits are provided unconditionally.

Imposition of contributions and payment:

For the employee insured:

The contribution amount is calculated by [monthly salary X contribution rate(currently 5.08%)] , and will be deducted from the monthly salary (50% of the contribution is shared by the employer 2.54:2.54).  Irrespective of the actual date of enrollment, the obligation of contribution payment is retroactive up to the date the enrollee was employed. From 2008 July, contribution for long-term care insurance will be calculated by [monthly contribution rate X 4.78% (employee, employer both)]

* Long-term care insurance services for the elderly

Medical treatment services including bathing, treating elderly excretions, the laundry and nursing care are to be commended for the aged above 65, or those with restricted movement suffering from senile diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease.

For the self-employed insured:

The contribution amount for those who have an income is calculated by [monthly salary X contribution rate] and, for those who have no income, their contribution amount shall be equal to [the average monthly contribution of the Korean self-employed in the previous year] , which amounts to approximately 70,900 won this year.  The obligation of contribution payment is retroactive up to the date the enrollee was registered as an alien in Korea.

From 2008 July, contribution for long-term care insurance is applicable to the self-employed members.  Calculation is the same as for the employee members.  [Monthly contribution rate X 4.78% (employee, employer both)]

For foreign students (D-2), Missionary (D-6) insured:

The contribution amount can be reduced by 50% for D-2 visa holders, 30% for D-6 visa holders.

Insurance Benefits

The insurance benefit entitlements for foreigners are exactly the same as those for Korean nationals. Similarly, when the foreigner insured person or the dependents receive health care services at health care facilities, just like Korean enrollees, they should pay the amount of co-payment required for the services covered.

The Guide on Qualification of the Self-employed Insured for Long-stay Foreigners – [File Download]

Source : National Health Insurance Corporation

Telephone : 1577-1000 (Korean) / 02-390-2000(English) / Global Center (02-2075-4145)

Beginning April 2009, the Seoul Global Center joined with the National Health Insurance Corporation to provide more professional solutions about the questions from people from overseas, residing in Seoul. A representative from NHIC is on-site at the SGC every Wednesday 2-6pm.

2. Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance protects you against claims from charges for hospital accommodation or injury, sickness, disease, death or destruction caused by accident that is not covered by the NHI.  Private health insurance, unlike NHI is optional.

English speaking representatives from private health insurance companies are available.  Please contact the SGC for more information.

3.  Medical Referral Services (MRS)

For all medical and counseling related queries or requests, please contact the Seoul Metropolitan Government Medical Referral Service (MRS) on 010-4769-8212 or 010-8750-8212. MRS is staffed by medically trained English speaking professionals who can refer individuals to medical services provided by general practitioners as well as specialists in dermatology, dentistry, obstetrics, and gynecology, chiropody, chiropractics, oriental medicine, pediatrics and counseling. All calls will be treated with confidentiality. MRS also can counsel with differences in medical culture.

4. Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Seoul are everywhere and easy to spot. Just look for a or sign. It is possible at pharmacies to buy medicine with a doctor’s prescription, as well as over-the-counter medication.

Since many brand names vary throughout the world, make sure you know the generic names of your medication. Generic names usually appear in English on the package. If you are taking a prescription medication bring a supply to last until you can establish a reliable source in Korea. Sending medication through the mail might present a Customs problem.

It is important to let your doctor and pharmacist know of any allergies you may have.

5.  Counseling in Seoul

From time to time individuals, couples and families experience problems that might interfere with their daily functioning. Often people do not seek help because of the myth that counseling is for the mentally ill and, as a result, live with the stress longer than is necessary.

Assistance from a qualified professional psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist or counselor can help with finding solutions and relieving the stress. These practitioners use their skills to assist people coping with depression, anxiety, phobias, substance abuse, marital problems, parenting concerns, child development issues, cultural adjustment, separation, loss or stress management.

6. Emergencies

When you move into your home in Seoul, it is very important to locate the nearest hospital with an emergency department. If you need any related information such as where the CPR education, please contact the MRS at 010-4769-8212 or 010-8750-8212.

The emergency telephone number for an ambulance is 119. Unfortunately, the operator may not understand English in first but it will connect you to an organization that can help you to be able to communicate. 

In this case, you can ask for a translator. If the situation isn’t very serious, it is suggested that you drive or take a taxi to your nearest emergency department. If this is not possible and the emergency operator cannot understand you, leave the phone off the hook and the emergency services will try to trace your location. If you are calling from a cellular phone however, your location cannot be traced. 

If all else fails, call 1330 the tourist information line which is 24 hours and offers English service.  They will ensure you get the proper treatment in a timely fashion.  After 8pm the MRS operator is also available for emergency situations.

Alternatively, if you have a security system installed in your home, press the panic button and the security company can help.

Poison control :

• Poison control information in Korea can be best obtained from the 121
• Hospital Emergency Room on Yongsan Army Base at 7917-5450/5545
• Police 112
• Fire, Emergency, Ambulance 119

Tags: Daily living logistics, Emergency situations, Health, Health insurance, Medical Referral Service, National Health Insurance, SGC Services
Posted in Community, Health insurance, Living in Seoul, Medical Referral Service, National Health Insurance