An Overview of Healthcare in South Korea
There are 1.6 million expats living in South Korea, with that number expected to grow to 2.16 million by 2040. Foreigners moving to South Korea will find that one of the benefits of living in the country is its excellent healthcare system. Satisfaction with both access to and the quality of healthcare is consistently among the highest in the world.
Healthcare in South Korea is a single-payer system organized through the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Nearly all citizens receive universal medical care through this system. It’s mandatory for foreigners who plan to live in the country for over six months to participate in the system.
However, given the wait times and paperwork, we recommend that expats moving to South Korea obtain international health insurance to ensure they don’t have a coverage gap.
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Pros and Cons of the South Korean Healthcare System
The 38 countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) collaborate to enhance their economies and societies. With one of the lowest health expenditures among OECD countries, South Korea still provides some of the best healthcare in the world.
Pros of the South Korean Healthcare System
Where Does South Korea Rank in Healthcare?
South Korea offers excellent medical services alongside low insurance premiums. This year, the Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank, ranked South Korea’s healthcare as the third best in the world. In fact, the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic positioned it as a model for the rest of the world.
Is South Korea Medically Advanced?
The hospitals are well-equipped with advanced technology — the country ranks 4th in MRI machines per capita and 7th in the number of CT scanners. The country is particularly well-known for the treatment of skin diseases and its high survival rates of both colorectal and cervical cancer.
Are Alternative Treatments Covered in South Korea?
The healthcare system incorporates both Western and Eastern medical practices. This means that popular alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and cupping, are available and covered by the NHIS.
Cons of the South Korean Healthcare System
The National Health Insurance Service in South Korea keeps medical expenses low. Medical workers are often overworked and underpaid as a result. The low reimbursement rate for medical providers has led to shortages in specific fields, such as pediatrics and nursing.
Another downside is that the country’s healthcare system focuses more on treating illnesses rather than preventing them before they start. While the doctors are great at this, it doesn’t prevent long-term health effects from occurring or help people reduce their overall medical expenses.
Do South Koreans Pay More for Health Insurance?
While the average healthcare spending for citizens in OECD countries is 20%, South Koreans are paying 30.25% of their income. South Korea’s NHIS subsidizes medical services, but patients are still expected to pay for a portion of the bill.
Due to this, many people choose to purchase additional private medical insurance. Overall, this results in higher healthcare spending for people compared to OECD averages.
Challenges of the South Korean Healthcare System
South Korea faces significant differences in the type of medical services available in rural versus urban areas — 90% of physicians live and work in urban areas. You may face a wait time searching for a specialty doctor in the cities, but you’ll have an even harder time in rural areas.
Rural clinics tend to be overcrowded and offer limited services. Expats living outside of cities may be hard-pressed to find an English-speaking doctor.
Additionally, South Korea has the highest suicide rate in the OECD. Unlike in other countries, these rates are rising. Although there is a lot of mental illness in the country, there is a strong social stigma against it.
So even though there are many well-trained mental health professionals available, most people do not seek treatment.
Lastly, South Korean society is getting older while experiencing lower birth rates at the same time. This may place a financial burden on the government, as there will be fewer workers paying into the national insurance scheme, right when more of the population needs to use it.
Does South Korea Have Universal Healthcare?
Yes, South Korea has universal healthcare — but it isn’t free. The South Korean healthcare system is administered through the National Health Insurance Service. A combination of employee taxes, government subsidies, tobacco surcharges, and outside contributions funds the system.
On average, workers see 5% of their pay deducted from their monthly salaries to support the healthcare system. Employees and employers share this tax burden. For self-employed individuals, their contribution rate is based on both income and family size. This holds for both citizens and foreign residents.
Low-income people are exempt from the NHIS taxes. Those who are not able to pay into the NHIS are still offered medical insurance through the Medical Aid Program. The central and local governments jointly run this social welfare program.
What’s Covered Under South Korea’s Universal Healthcare
- General health check-ups
- Dental check-ups, cleaning, and wisdom teeth extractions
- Optical checkups and prescriptions
- Acupuncture and cupping treatment
- Appliances for the disabled (90% covered)
- Cancer checkups (90% covered)
- Pregnancy and childbirth are subsidized with $680 to $830 USD (1 million KRW) per pregnancy.
- Other medical needs such as tests, surgeries, rehabilitation, etc. (50-80% covered)
Co-Payments Under South Korea’s Universal Healthcare
If the NHIS covers you, you’ll have copays for medical care. Co-payments have an annual limit based on your income. If you pay any co-payments above that limit, the NHIS will reimburse you.
Here are the average copays you can expect to see:
- 20% of the total inpatient treatment cost
- Registered cancer patients pay 5%
- Registered rare disease patients pay 10%
- 30-50% of the outpatient total care benefit expenses at a general hospital
- 30% of the total care benefit expenses at a pharmacy
- 30% of the total care benefit expenses at a clinic
How to Access & Receive Healthcare in South Korea
Participation in the National Health Insurance Service is mandatory and covers nearly all citizens of the country. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are available throughout the country.
When seeking medical care in South Korea, you’ll find that most people go to the hospital no matter the severity of their illness. Yes, people in South Korea visit hospitals for something as simple as a common cold.
In Seoul and Busan, many hospitals offer translation services in both English and Russian to assist foreigners in navigating the healthcare system.
Due to the long wait times in the South Korean healthcare system, it is advisable to book your appointments in advance. Nearly every hospital in the country has a website that allows you to search for appointments and doctors by specialty.
Some doctors even have the languages they speak listed on their profiles. You can then book an appointment directly through the hospital’s website.
Eligibility and Cost Of Healthcare In South Korea For Foreigners
Since 2019, all foreigners planning to stay in the country for more than six months must register with the NHIS. To do this, you must first get your Alien Residency Card. It can take up to a month to receive your ARC, so plan accordingly.
In the meantime, many people purchase international health insurance plans to ensure they have coverage from the moment they arrive.
If your work is sponsored by a company, any business that employs more than five foreigners must enroll their workers in the NHIS. Your contributions will be automatically deducted from your paycheck.
If you are a freelancer or work for a small company, it is easy to sign yourself up. You will need to take your passport, ARC, application form, and certificate of enrollment to your nearest Immigration office.
If you are visiting the country for only a short period, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected medical expenses.
Healthcare for Expats in South Korea
To learn about the best insurance options in South Korea for your particular needs, check out our Health Insurance in South Korea page or select from one of the options below.
The Best Health Insurance in South Korea for US Citizens
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
The Best Health Insurance in South Korea for Non-US Expats
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Elizabeth Baugh is a versatile freelance writer specializing in education, travel, health, and wellness. She has international experience living in multiple countries, is fluent in Spanish, and holds a license as a TEFL teacher, sharing insights on travel and relocation.
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