Healthcare in South Korea

Healthcare in South Korea is modern and efficient. Western and Eastern medical practitioners and medicines are available and covered under the government’s National Health Insurance (NHI).

Apart from the NHI, there are several private health insurance options, but most are pricey and not as widely recognised as the national scheme.

Expats need to note that they aren’t covered by either the NHI plan or private health insurance until they have received their Alien Registration Card (ARC) from their local Korea Immigration Service office. Processing typically takes three to eight weeks, so expats should apply as soon as they arrive in the country.

During this waiting period, expats should consider purchasing travel or temporary health insurance, as medical costs without coverage can add up quickly.

Health insurance in South Korea

South Korea’s NHI programme is a compulsory social insurance system that covers the whole population. Foreigners are required to register for the national scheme if they have lived in the country for six months.

Employers are responsible for enrolling their employees in the NHI system, and both employer and employee contribute towards the premiums, splitting the cost approximately equally based on the employee’s salary.

Self-employed expats are automatically enrolled in the NHI system once they meet the six-month residency requirement. NHIS will send an insurance card and billing information to their registered address. Premiums are calculated based on income and assets.

Doctors and specialists will claim most of the costs of a consultation from the NHI, and expats typically pay around 30 percent of outpatient costs and 20 percent of inpatient costs. Prescription medication and traditional medicine (including acupuncture) are also covered with similar co-payment rates.

The upside is that expenses for a routine visit to a doctor or dentist will be quite low for both the consultation and the medication. On the other hand, some doctors may see many patients in quick succession, which can result in shorter consultation times than expats might be accustomed to in other countries.

Useful links

• National Health Insurance Service: Official English Site

Public healthcare in South Korea

Doctors, dentists, dermatologists and other specialists in South Korea are all affordable and readily available, as are general healthcare products and pharmaceutical drugs. Most hospitals and doctors have some English-speaking staff members, but it’s sometimes advisable to bring along a Korean-speaking friend, particularly in smaller towns and cities.

Medical facilities are of a high standard in South Korea, especially in Seoul. Major city hospitals will almost always have English-speaking doctors on staff, although support and technical staff are less likely to speak English.

Hospitals are well equipped and modern. Expats can also visit ‘international clinics’ affiliated with certain hospitals. These are staffed by doctors who have studied abroad and generally speak English, although they typically charge higher consultation fees.

For inpatient hospital stays, patients may be required to pay a deposit against estimated costs. Most hospitals accept major credit cards, although it’s advisable to confirm payment options in advance.

Healthcare in Seoul
Healthcare in Busan

Useful links

• Seoul Metropolitan Government: Healthcare Services
• U.S. Embassy Seoul: Medical Information

Private healthcare in South Korea

The NHI covers most day-to-day and emergency medical procedures, prescription medication and specialist visits, including treatments for serious illnesses like cancer. Private insurance companies offer supplementary coverage to help with remaining co-payments and services not fully covered by the NHI, such as private hospital rooms or certain dental procedures. Many Koreans and expats opt for private insurance to further reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.

Medicine and pharmacies in South Korea

Pharmacies are plentiful, and both Western and Eastern medicines are available in abundance. They are usually located near hospitals, as hospitals in Korea are not permitted to dispense prescription medication. Most pharmacies operate from 9am to 6pm or 7pm on weekdays and shorter hours on Saturdays, with many closed on Sundays. While 24-hour pharmacies are rare, some late-night pharmacies in major cities extend their hours until 1am.

Pharmacies in South Korea are called ‘yakguk’ (약국) and are easily identifiable by a green cross sign, often with the Korean character for medicine (약) displayed at the entrance. Some medications that are available over the counter in other countries may require a prescription in South Korea, and vice versa. Common painkillers and cold remedies can typically be purchased without a prescription.

Expats who have enrolled in South Korea’s NHI programme will be able to get prescription medication at a heavily subsidised rate.

Useful links

• Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Health hazards in South Korea

As in many cities in industrialised Asia, residents face health concerns due to air pollution. In spring, yellow dust (hwangsa) – fine particulate matter from sandstorms in the Gobi Desert combined with industrial pollutants – can blanket the Korean Peninsula. During these periods, wearing a mask outdoors may be necessary, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues like asthma.

Vaccinations for South Korea

No vaccinations are required to enter South Korea, but expats moving to the country should ensure their routine vaccinations, including the flu, chickenpox and tetanus immunisations, are up to date. Babies between six and 11 months old should get a dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travelling to South Korea. Some other vaccines to consider include:

• Typhoid: For new arrivals moving to smaller cities or rural areas in South Korea.
• Japanese Encephalitis: For those planning extended stays or visits to rural regions, especially between March and December.
• Hepatitis A and B

Expats should contact their healthcare provider for individual care and vaccine recommendations before making the big move.

Useful links

• CDC Travel Health: South Korea
• Passport Health: South Korea Vaccines
• Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

Emergency services in South Korea

Emergency services in South Korea are efficient and well equipped. Ambulances dispatched through 119 are staffed by qualified emergency medical technicians and respond quickly. Expats should not hesitate to call for an ambulance in an emergency.

Expats can phone the Immigration Contact Center for assistance with medical advice and translation services. The centre offers multilingual support in 20 languages and can help at clinics or hospitals where English is not spoken. Staff can also connect callers directly with emergency services when needed.

• Immigration Contact Center: 1345
• Police: 112
• Ambulance and Fire Department: 119

Useful links

• Immigration Contact Center
• Korea National 119 Rescue Services