Health Insurance in Korea: Enrollment, Premiums and Hospital Refunds

A common concern for newcomers to Korea is, “What happens if I get sick here? Can foreigners use the national health insurance system?”

The good news is that if you’ve been in Korea for six months or longer, you’re covered by the same National Health Insurance as Korean citizens. Depending on your visa type, that coverage may even begin from the day you arrive.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Korea’s National Health Insurance, including eligibility and how to pay your premiums.

Health Insurance in Korea is Mandatory

Korea's National Health Insurance (국민건강보험) is not optional. Once you've registered as a foreign resident and have been in the country for six months, you'll be automatically enrolled. For certain visa holders,^* coverage begins immediately upon arrival.

*D-2 (Study), E-9 (Non-professional Employment), F-5 (Permanent Residency), F-6 (Marriage Immigration)

Depending on your employment status at the time of enrollment, you'll be classified as either a workplace subscriber (직장가입자) or a local subscriber (지역가입자). Either way, you're enrolled automatically, so there's nothing you need to do. To confirm your enrollment status, visit the National Health Insurance Service website.

How Much Are the Monthly Premiums?

Health insurance premiums are calculated differently depending on your type of enrollment.

• Workplace subscribers pay a portion of their salary as their premium, and the cost is split equally between the employee and the employer.
• Local subscribers are assessed based on income and assets. As a foreigner’s income and assets can be hard to assess in Korea, premiums are generally set at no less than the previous year’s national average. However, international students pay 50% of the standard rate, and permanent residents and marriage immigrants are assessed under the same criteria as Korean nationals.

Premiums must be paid in advance each month, typically by the 25th. Payments can be made by auto-transfer, at a bank, or online. If you miss a payment, your medical benefits are suspended immediately, and unpaid premiums may affect your visa renewal. To avoid this, it’s best to set up automatic payments in advance.

What Benefits Does National Health Insurance Provide?

The National Health Insurance significantly reduces your medical expenses. Instead of paying the full cost of treatment, you only pay a set portion.

• Clinic visits: You pay 30–60% of the total cost
• Inpatient care: You pay 20% of the total cost
• Annual physicals: Covered 100% by the National Health Insurance Service, once every two years

Private Insurance (실손보험): Covers What National Health Insurance Doesn't

National health insurance covers the bulk of your medical costs, but not all of them. That's where supplemental private insurance (실손의료보험, or 실손보험) comes in, to reimburse you for part or all of those out-of-pocket costs.

Unlike national health insurance, private insurance (실손보험) is a private plan that you sign up for individually. It reimburses you for the costs not covered by the national system, and it's so widely used in Korea that it's often referred to as the "secondary health insurance" system.

How to Get Reimbursed Through Toss

In the past, getting reimbursed meant going back to the hospital to collect your receipts and medical certificates, then submitting them by mail or fax. The process was so cumbersome that many people chose not to bother with smaller amounts.

With Toss, you can file a claim using just a photo of your receipt. The Hospital Bill Reimbursement (병원비 돌려받기) feature lets private insurance (실손보험) subscribers submit claims directly through the app. It's simple and hassle-free, so even small amounts don't go unclaimed.

✅ How to get reimbursed: Toss app → [All] → Search “Hospital Bill Reimbursement” (병원비 돌려받기) → Select the transaction, documents, and insurer → Take a photo of your receipt → [Submit] for review → Get reimbursed

The whole process takes just a few minutes. If you link your Toss card in advance, the app will also send you a reimbursement reminder each time you pay at a clinic or hospital, so you don't miss a claim.

Korea's health system offers more coverage than what most international residents would expect. Once you understand how it works, managing your medical costs becomes a lot easier.

Written by 유서진 Graphics by 조수희