Q1. I came to Korea on an investment visa. I am planning to move my family over to Korea. How can my family receive Korean national health insurance benefits? 1
A foreigner may apply for the national health insurance three months after the date of entering Korea(students and those taking jobs may apply from the date of entry). Therefore, family members can apply for the health insurance at the National Health Insurance Corporation branch office in your district in conjunction with payment of the first month`s health insurance fee.
A foreigner`s spouse, lineal ascendant and descendent, and the spouse`s lineal ascendant and unmarried siblings can apply as family members with proof of their relations.
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Q2. My wife has national health insurance and is going to give birth very soon. Can my baby receive national health insurance benefits as well? 1
If a mother is giving birth in Korea, health insurance will cover her hospital fees. However, a baby must be registered at the immigration office and the NHIC branch office in your district in order to receive health insurance benefits. The parents are responsible for medical fees until the baby qualifies for health insurance.
Once the baby is registered for National Health Insurance, the parents can present the new insurance card and get a refund from the hospital for the amount of that would have been covered by insurance. This must usually be done within one week of treatment, but the refund period varies, so check with your hospital.
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Q3. “When a foreigner or an overseas-based Korean is employed at the workplace where the employees become the the employee insured, does that person automatically become an employment-provided policyholder?” 1
When a foreigner or an overseas-based Korean is hired at the workplace where the employees become the employee insured or employed as a public official or a teacher, he/she becomes the target of compulsory subscription beginning Jan. 1, 2006. In this case, alien registration (reporting domestic residence) must be in place.
However, exclusion may apply under the following cases:
1. When applying for insurance exclusion as the target of arbitrary subscription based on the social security treaty agreement between nations (Applied beginning Jun. 1, 2007)
2. When receiving separate medical security according to foreign acts, a foreign insurance or a contract with an employer (Applied beginning Jul. 31, 2007)
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Q4. Does medical insurance cover expenses? 1
If foreigners meet the necessary requirements and join the National Health Insurance and pay its premiums, they can also be protected the same as Korean citizens.
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Q5. Where can I be issued medical visas? 1
Applications are received at the Korean embassy or consulate. Persons qualified for issuance of visas:
* Person who intends to become an inpatient at a medical or rehabilitation center in Korea with the purpose of treating diseases or for recuperation who require more than 91 days of treatment
* Patient and patient`s spouse, children or direct family who enters the country to look after the patient (period of sojourn 1 year, visa valid for 1 year),
C3 (M): When the treatment and period of sojourn is less than 90 days (cosmetic surgery and treatment, and other simple procedures),
G1 (M): 1 year (long-term treatment and rehabilitation)
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Q6. Are there medical services for foreign tourists? 1
Dial 1339 for 24/7 English and Japanese consulting. In the case of medical emergency, call 1399 or 119 and you can receive information on medical centers
for foreigners, available hospitals and ambulance services