International Health Insurance in South Korea for Expats

Yes. All foreigners staying in South Korea for more than six months are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Enrollment is triggered when you receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC) from the Korean Immigration Service. Employed workers are enrolled as workplace subscribers through their employer. Self-employed individuals, students and others enroll as regional subscribers directly with the NHIS. The NHIS is mandatory and cannot be replaced by private insurance – you must be enrolled regardless of any additional private plan you hold.

The NHIS covers approximately 70-80% of medical costs for covered treatments, leaving the patient responsible for a co-payment of 20-30%. To access care, you present your ARC at clinics or hospitals – the system looks up your coverage automatically. For minor issues, visiting a clinic rather than a hospital is recommended as co-payments are lower. The NHIS does not cover all treatments – cancer care, in particular, is not covered for chronic conditions, which is one reason many expats choose to supplement their NHIS coverage with private insurance.

NHIS enrollment is triggered when you receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC), which requires a visit to a Korean Immigration Service office. This typically happens within a few weeks of arrival, but until your ARC is issued and NHIS enrollment is complete, you are not covered by the public system. International health insurance can cover you from the moment you arrive in South Korea, bridging this initial gap. ExpatInsure can help you find a plan that covers this transitional period.

While the NHIS is comprehensive for most routine care, there are notable gaps. Chronic conditions such as cancer are not covered. Non-covered items include high-end hospital rooms, some specialist treatments, cosmetic procedures and certain prescription medications. Many expats in South Korea choose to supplement their NHIS coverage with private indemnity insurance – often called Silbi insurance in Korea – to cover co-payments and non-covered items. ExpatInsure can help you understand your options for supplemental cover in South Korea.

No. US Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States in most circumstances. This is an important consideration for Americans of retirement age moving to South Korea. ExpatInsure can help you find international health insurance options suited to your age, health needs and situation in South Korea.