Looking to move to South Korea? Are you expatriating to South Korea to study like many other students, to take advantage of a professional opportunity, to discover a new culture and tradition, or to make a fresh start? Do you have questions about the country’s healthcare system? In this article, Mondassur explains all the details of the healthcare system in South Korea. After all, health insurance in South Korea is essential for your peace of mind!
Political system: Republic
Capital: Seoul
Area: 100,210 km²
Population: 51.47 million
Languages spoken: Korean
Currency: Won
South Korea’s healthcare system
Since the mid-1970s, South Korea has invested heavily in its healthcare system. Today, this system consists of national health care. The country also offers health coverage, universal insurance and a national health insurance program. The government is building numerous healthcare infrastructures in disadvantaged regions. The result is faster, more accessible access for all. As a result, South Korea is ranked among the best healthcare systems in the world. In fact, South Korea ranks ahead of countries such as Japan, Denmark and France. What’s more, life expectancy in South Korea is 90 years. So whether you’re a citizen or an expatriate, you’ll have to pay a fee to benefit from the public healthcare system, because it’s not free.
How does the South Korean healthcare system work?
Social contributions finance 50% of the Korean healthcare system, theState 40%, and tobacco taxes 10%. This financing has enabled the Korean healthcare system to develop considerably in terms of social security and the creation of healthcare infrastructures. The growth of the private sector has thus contributed in particular to the development of these infrastructures. In addition, the private sector has financed the majority of healthcare facilities. The private sector manages 94% of all hospitals.
If you’re an expatriate, you should register with theKorean NHI (National Healthcare Insurance) scheme within 6 months of your arrival in South Korea. If your employer is Korean, he must provide you with health insurance as required by law. Your employer must also pay half of your monthly premiums. Register with the national health insurance scheme only after you have received your foreign registration card. It can take up to 1 month to obtain this card. If you don’t, you won’t be entitled to reimbursement.
Taking out supplementary health insurance in South Korea
Take out private health insurance if you want to go abroad. In addition, the local Korean insurance only covers you for 50% to 80% of the cost. So take out supplementary health insurance to cover costs not covered by public health insurance. This may also be useful if you need hospitalization or long-term treatment. As an expatriate, if you join the public health insurance scheme, the amount you pay will vary according to your income.
By law, your employer must provide you with health insurance as soon as his company exceeds 5 employees. However, beware: many companies provide their employees with limited private insurance to comply with the law. These limited private insurances often under-cover employees by covering only accidents, for example. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of the health insurance contract provided by your employer if you are expatriating and starting a new job in South Korea. Take out expatriate health insurance that covers you in full. Think especially about hospitalization and routine medical expenses! To apply for local public or private insurance, you’ll need to present the following documents:
- Passport ;
- Foreign resident card ;
- Employment contract.
How do I consult a general practitioner or specialist in South Korea?
Most South Koreans go straight to the hospital when they need treatment. Booking a consultation online is therefore one of the best options for seeing a doctor. Almost all hospitals have a website where you can book a consultation with a general practitioner or specialist. Most hospitals have a database with a list of doctors suited to your needs. You’ll find at least one English-speaking doctor in every hospital in South Korea. Hospital databases often include this information.
Visit private international hospitals or clinics, where most staff speak English. In these hospitals, doctors are more likely to have practiced internationally. This means you can receive care more similar to that in your home country, if you wish.
To consult a doctor in the public sector, wait up to several days if it’s not an emergency. We therefore strongly advise you to take out private insurance to cover private-sector healthcare costs. Waiting times in a private hospital or clinic will therefore be shorter than in the public sector.
Respect for doctors in South Korea
South Koreans have the utmost respect for their doctors. Do not question their methods of care or seek a second medical opinion. Consult a doctor who often treats expatriates if you have many questions about the medical treatment you should receive; he or she will more easily answer your questions.
We would like to emphasize that the doctors you consult in South Korea are highly qualified and that, as expatriates, you will encounter cultural differences between the South Korean healthcare system and the healthcare systems to which you are accustomed.
You’ll pay around 30,000 won with public health insurance for a simple consultation with a doctor, whether it’s a general practitioner, an eye examination, or a dentist. Without health insurance, you’ll pay around double that.
The emergency system in South Korea
Dial 119 for emergencies in South Korea. An English-speaking operator will ask you questions to assess your level of urgency. Don’t worry about ambulance charges for care and repatriation to a hospital.
To avoid overloading the emergency number, call 1339 to be put in touch with a Center for Disease Control and Prevention if you feel your situation is not an emergency.
What are the most popular multi-specialty hospitals in Seoul?
South Korea is home to some of the world’s leading healthcare institutions:
- Kanguk Samsung Hospital;
- Asan Medical Center;
- International St. Mary’s Hospital ;
- Wooridul Hospital.
These Seoul-based hospitals feature state-of-the-art medical equipment. The hospitals’ infrastructures are recent, optimized and adapted to provide world-class treatment. Most doctors and healthcare staff have international medical experience, so you’ll be treated by doctors or surgeons from North America, Europe, etc….
Access to medicines in South Korean pharmacies
Go to a pharmacy to buy basic medicines if you’re feeling slightly ill, such as with a slight fever or stomach ache, for example. In fact, dolipranes, cold remedies, vitamins and digestive aids can be picked up in pharmacies without a prescription. However, you won’t be able to buy antibiotics without a prescription from your doctor. Check with your doctor in advance to make sure you’re not allergic to the medication he or she prescribes, as your pharmacist may not speak English and you won’t be able to ask him or her about the components of the prescribed medication. Cold medicine costs around 200 won.
Dental care in South Korea
Dental care in South Korea is highly regarded for its superior quality. The cost of access to care is well below the average for Western countries. Dental care is one of the main attractions of medical tourism to South Korea.
- Dental implants: $1100- $2000
- Crown: $700 – $800
- Root canal treatment: $130 – $350
Average cost of medical care in South Korea
- Orthopedic consultation: $92
- IRM: $700 – $1500
- Consultation with a dermatologist: $100
Maternity in South Korea
Would you like to know what it’s like to be pregnant in South Korea? Give birth in a hospital or birthing center, and choose to be attended by a midwife, doctor or gynecologist. In South Korea, doctors often recommend Caesarean sections, so don’t be surprised if your doctor suggests one straight away. Make it clear to your doctor if you don’t want an enema or episiotomy, as these procedures are much more common in South Korea.
As expatriates, there is no provision in the French and South Korean bilateral social security agreements or legislation to cover the costs of a French insured person giving birth in South Korea. You will be responsible for your own medical expenses, and you will not receive any daily benefits during your maternity period. So be sure to take out insurance before you become pregnant, as maternity costs are relatively high. On average, a natural childbirth costs around 7,100,000 won ($6,000). A caesarean delivery costs 11,000,000 won (over $9000), plus the cost of prenatal treatments and tests.
Korean hospitals and clinics have the most technologically advanced medical equipment. Your care will be of the highest quality. As an expatriate, you must register the birth of your newborn child with the local authorities immediately after giving birth. Your child will be granted the same citizenship status as you. The only way your child can have Korean nationality is if both parents are Korean, and if he or she was born in Korea.
Some examples of average costs for maternity-related medical care
- Ultrasound: $200
- IRM: $700 – $1500
Vaccinate against rubella, hepatitis A and the Zika virus. These diseases cause physical and mental deformities in babies.
Men make up 95% of obstetricians. Find a female obstetrician as soon as possible if you wish. During your first consultation, your doctor will ask you questions about your preferences for prenatal care and delivery.
See your doctor every 5 weeks at the beginning of your pregnancy. He or she will monitor the progress of your pregnancy and perform the necessary ultrasounds, which cost around 50,000 won each. Learn the sex of your baby from the 28th week. Get a photo and video of your baby through your belly at 35 weeks.
Your doctor will give you your baby’s birth date at your first consultation. He or she will perform a Caesarean section on the day of your baby’s birth if you don’t give birth before that date.
Recommended vaccines before moving to South Korea
You don’t need any compulsory vaccinations, despite the very different climate. However, you can contract serious illnesses on the spot that could be very dangerous, even fatal. That’s why we recommend that you get vaccinated against :
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Rabies
- The typhoid
Protect yourself well against mosquito bites, as they can transmit diseases and infections such as malaria. Travel with anti-mosquito sprays and wear loose-fitting clothing at the start of your expatriation, while you get used to and adapt to your new environment.
You should also be careful about drinking water or eating raw food. They can quickly lead to food poisoning.
It’s a good idea to take out international health insurance to protect yourself against hospitalization costs.
Is it necessary to take out international health insurance for an expatriation to South Korea?
Purchase Korean health insurance to expatriate to South Korea! On the one hand, South Korea’s universal coverage only partially covers healthcare costs, not to mention the waiting period during which you won’t be covered for expensive medical expenses. What’s more, 94% of hospitals in South Korea are private, and charge remarkably high prices. You must therefore be insured for 100% of actual hospital costs.
Which international health insurance should I take out in South Korea, and for whom?
For certain long-term stays in South Korea, you will be obliged to take out private health insurance for your entire stay.
- If you’re planning a Working Holiday Program (WHV) in South Korea, it’s essential that you take out health insurance covering the entire duration of your stay. Choose GoldStart insurance, adapted to your profile if you wish to take out a WHV!
- Take out an expatriate international health insurance policy to cover private sector healthcare costs in South Korea if you are an expatriate employee, digital nomad or entrepreneur. You can also cover your healthcare costs when traveling abroad, and for medical repatriation abroad or to your home country.
- Are you planning to visit South Korea as a tourist? Take out travel insurance to cover the very high health costs in South Korea and costly medical repatriation.
- Would you like to spend a semester, an internship or part of your studies in South Korea? Even if the “Sajeong” visa does not require mandatory health insurance, take out one to protect yourself against the high cost of healthcare in South Korea. If you wish to travel around South Korea during your stay, choose GoldStudent health insurance to cover your healthcare costs abroad, as many students do every year.
Visas South Korea
French nationals do not need a visa for a tourist or business stay of less than 90 days. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Apply for a visa if you’re staying for more than 90 days. Choose between a D-2 or D-4 visa if you’re going to study in South Korea. Obtain a letter of acceptance from the Korean embassy or consulate to enter South Korea. The D-2 visa is required for a full course of study, while the D-4 visa is needed for non-academic programs (e.g. language study).
Embassy of France in Seoul
30 Hap-dong Sodaemun-ku – Seoul 120030
Tel: 82 31 49 43 00
Fax: 82 31 49 43 28
Embassy of South Korea in Paris
125, rue de Grenelle – 75007 Paris
Tél: 01.47.53.01.01
Fax : 01.44.18.01.78
E-mail : gen.fr@mofat.go.kr
