Health insurance in South Korea
What am I covered for?
As of 1988 medical insurance is compulsory for everyone living and working in South Korea – including overseas residents (regardless of whether or not you have your own medical insurance).
Insurance costs are calculated at 5% of your salary of which the employer pays half – the remainder is deducted automatically.
Basic coverage includes hospital and physician consultation, maternity, dental health and prescription drugs. In the case of families, all dependants are automatically covered once the adult worker is insured.
Health insurance does not cover the full cost of treatment. The patient must pay 20-50% of hospital/clinic/physician treatment and 30% of the cost of prescription drugs. However, these costs are considerably lower than medical expenses in many western countries.
Also in this section
- Introduction: The South Korean health system
- Health care: Types of medical treatment in South Korea
- Health insurance in South Korea: What am I covered for?
- Lifestyle: Staying healthy in South Korea
