Private Health Insurance in Korea: Do Foreigners Need It?

For most foreigners living in Korea, private health insurance is optional. National Health Insurance (국민건강보험) is compulsory and covers the basics, and a private plan only pays part of what’s left. It’s worth having in a few situations: before your public coverage starts, for costs NHIS doesn’t cover, and if you expect large hospital bills.

Key facts

How private insurance fits with NHIS

When you see a doctor, the bill has three parts:

1. The NHIS share: most of the cost of covered treatment.
2. Your copay (본인부담금): your share of covered treatment, from 20% for hospital stays to 30% to 60% for outpatient visits depending on the hospital.
3. Non-covered items (비급여): things NHIS doesn’t pay for at all, such as many MRIs and ultrasounds, private or 1- to 2-person hospital rooms, some injections, physical therapy programs, and cosmetic treatment.

A private indemnity plan pays back part of 2 and 3, after a deductible. It doesn’t pay anything NHIS already covers. See how hospitals work for typical costs.

When a private plan makes sense

• Your first 6 months. If you’re not employed and not on a visa that’s covered from arrival, you have no NHIS until you’ve lived here 6 months. A short-term or international plan covers that gap. See National Health Insurance for who waits.
• Big non-covered costs. If you have a long-term condition, plan surgery or have children who often see doctors, indemnity insurance can save a lot.
• Your employer offers it. Many companies add group accident and medical insurance (단체보험) for free. Check your contract before buying your own.
• E-9 workers: casualty insurance (상해보험) is compulsory under the Employment Permit System; it covers injury and illness outside work. See employment and industrial accident insurance.
• Students: many universities sell or require a group plan on top of NHIS.

Can private insurance replace NHIS?

Usually not. The exception: if you can prove you have medical coverage equal to NHIS benefits through a foreign country’s law, a foreign insurance policy, or your employer’s contract, you can apply to be excluded (가입 제외). Rules to know:

• Exclusion through insurance or an employer contract lasts up to 1 year at a time, and you must report when it ends.
• Employees must apply within 14 days of being enrolled for the exclusion to start from day one.
• Travel insurance and cheap “visitor” plans rarely meet the “equal to NHIS” test.

This is mostly used by people on international expat plans sent by a foreign employer. For most residents, NHIS is cheaper and simpler.

Buying indemnity insurance as a foreigner

Korean insurers sell indemnity plans to foreigners, but each company decides who it accepts.

• Usually accepted: permanent residents (F-5), marriage migrants (F-6) and people on stable work visas with an ARC.
• Often limited or refused: short-term visas, tourists, and sometimes students, who may get lower limits.
• What you’ll need: your ARC (or overseas Korean residence card), a Korean phone number and bank account in your name, and honest answers about your health history. Hiding a past illness can void the policy.
• Language: contracts and claims are in Korean. Ask for an agent who speaks your language or use an insurer’s foreign-customer line.

Claims and taxes

• Keep the receipt (진료비 영수증) and the itemized bill (진료비 세부내역서). For larger claims you may also need a diagnosis note (진단서).
• Many hospitals and pharmacies can now send claims to your insurer electronically through the 실손24 service, so you don’t have to collect papers.
• Claims must generally be made within 3 years of treatment.
• Premiums for protection-type insurance give a 12% tax credit on up to ₩1 million a year at year-end tax settlement, if you use normal tax rates.

Common questions

I already have travel insurance from home. Do I still need NHIS?

Yes. If you’re employed or have lived here 6 months, NHIS enrollment is automatic and premiums are billed regardless. Travel insurance doesn’t usually qualify for an exclusion.

Is dental care covered?

NHIS covers basic dental treatment, but implants (except some for older people), braces and many crowns are partly or fully non-covered. Dental riders on private plans have waiting periods and limits.

Will my private insurance cover me back home?

Korean indemnity plans pay for treatment in Korea. For care abroad you need travel or international health insurance.

This guide explains the general rules as of the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so confirm with the office named here (or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center) before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.