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Living in Korea
G.O.A.'L Guide to Living in Korea for Overseas Adopted Koreans
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Korean National Health Insurance
Adoptees that have registered their residence in Korea and and received the F4 visa can apply for the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan. This health insurance is used by all Korean nationals. If you find a job at a hagwon or company, in most cases, you would be automatically covered (there should be mention of it as a benefit in your employment contract).
If you are self-employed (e.g., freelancer, English tutor or student) you would need to purchase health insurance on you own. If you have no other international health insurance plan, G.O.A.'L recommends getting the National Health Insurance.
Things you should know
1) Apply for NHI plan coverage as soon as you get your F4 visa. If you register directly with the NHI plan, you are required to register for coverage starting the date of issuance of your F4 visa. (This means that if you decide 6 months after getting your F4 visa you would have to pay retroactively for those 6 months.)
2) NHI must be paid on a monthly basis to ensure continuous coverage. You can pay in cash at the branch office but you can also receive invoices via regular mail. Since beginning 2009 you can also do direct debit transfers from your personal bank account.
3) The monthly cost is about 69,890 Won per month (as of 2009-01-01) but may vary depending upong your income level.
Benefits of NHI plan coverage
1) Automatically receive a reduced rate for doctor visits and pharmacies.
Items Not Covered by NHI
1) Expensive surgeries or extensive treatments (e.g. for cancer). (These days most Korean nationals purchase additional private insurances from firms such as AIG, MetLife, ING, Samsung, etc. to cover large medical expenses).
2) International travel and treatment for services received outside of Korea. (You'd have to obtain supplemental coverage when leaving Korea for a business trip or vacation)
For more information please visit the National Health Insurance homepage: http://www.nhic.or.kr/eng/
or the Seoul Global Center for foreigners: http://global.seoul.go.kr/global/view/living/liv06_06.jsp
If you have questions, call or send us an email: 02) 325-6585 / sg@goal.or.kr
Supplement Medical Benefits for Adoptees without Insurance
G.O.A.’L Partners with Ewha University Hospital in Providing Health Benefits to Adoptees
(effective January 27, 2006)
G.O.A.’L and the Ewha University Hospitals, held a signing ceremony for the Agreement on Medical Benefits for overseas Korean adoptees residing in South Korea on January 10, 2006 in Seoul. With this agreement, adoptees who do not have medical insurance AND are referred to Ewha University Hospital (Mokdong) by G.O.A.'L can receive medical benefits (treatment at reduced prices) as described below.
Adoptees who need assistance in obtaining this benefit, please contact the G.O.A.’L office (Tel: 325-6585 or Email: office@goal.or.kr) for further information. We look forward to better serving adoptees through strengthening our community partnerships.
Detailed Description of Medical Benefits available to Adoptees
* Services are provided according to the ‘Medical Agreement for overseas Korea adoptees’ between Ewha University Hospital and G.O.A.'L
1. Application of Medical Charge and Discounts
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|
Services |
Medical Charge |
Discounts |
|
Overseas Korean Adoptees |
Regular examinations,
treatments, and hospitalization |
Same charge as insured patients |
Patient charge (excluding consultation fee) 5%
Comprehensive medical testing 30% |
* To receive the benefit and discounts, the beneficiary should bring identification that confirms her/his qualification to receive them.
* Costs for any prostheses are excluded from regular discounts applied per the agreement, and any medical equipment or supplies needed for treatment will be charged to the patient at actual purchasing cost.
2. Special Patient In-take Desk
Ewha University Hospital (Mokdong branch) (hereafter “the hospital”) will set up a special desk for patients referred to the hospitals through G.O.A.’L (hereafter “cooperating organization”) for the convenience of the patients.
3. Use of Ambulance
In the case of emergency, if the use of an ambulance is requested by the cooperating organizations, the hospital will arrange for an ambulance to pick-up the patient and bring her/him to the hospital to receive medical services.
4. Convenience Offered
The hospital will provide convenience in medical care to adoptee patients referred by the cooperating organizations as follows:
I. Give priority in terms of medical appointments
II. Shorten wait time for patients requiring hospitalization
III. Defer payment of security deposit for hospitalization and medical charges in the middle of treatment to a later date. |
