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01Introduction to the Republic of Korea
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02Multicultural Families and Foreigner Support Services
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03Residence and Naturalization
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04Korean Culture and Life
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05Pregnancy and Childbirth
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06Education of Children
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07Health and Healthcare
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08Social Security System
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09Employment and Labor
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10References
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Chapter Introduction Video
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FAQ
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Status of family centers
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Current Status of Danuri Helpline
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Migrant Background Youth Support Foundation
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Current Status of Saeil Center (New Job Center for Women)
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Immigration Offices
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Major Tourist Destinations by Region
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Contact Numbers for Key Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Korea
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Guide to Personal Information Protection
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Danuri Call Center : 1577-1366
가족상담전화 : 1644-6621
21F, 173, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Chungmuro 3-ga, Namsan Square Building)
Copyright ⓒ KOREA INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHY FAMILY. All Rights Reserved
Medical Benefit System
- Home
- Health and Healthcare
- Medical Benefit System
Medical Benefit System
The medical benefit system aims to subsidize medical fees for citizens who cannot pay medical bills due to financial difficulty. Foreigners are not qualified for medical benefits, with the exception of specific cases outlined in the National Basic Living Security Act. When a person who qualifies for this assistance undergoes medical treatment due to disease, injury or childbirth, the government pays the hospital or clinic fee.
01Qualifications
Recipients of medical care assistance signified in the National Basic Living Security Act (including foreigners) are eligible for the medical allowance.
| Primary Recipients | Secondary Recipients |
|---|---|
| - Household without gainful employment among beneficiaries of national basic livelihood security - Homeless patient - Household without gainful employment among those subject to other laws (disaster victims, physically handicapped, recipients of national merit/veterns, intangible cultural asset holders, North Korean defectors, members of the May 18 Democratization Movement, adopted children (under 18 years old), homeless people, etc.) | - Employment capable households among beneficiaries of national basic liveliehood security - Employment capable households among those subject to other laws |
02Fees to Be Charged to Recipients
Recipients will be charged a portion of the medical expenses when using medical institutions.
| Classification | Primary Recipients | Secondary Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitalization | Free of charge | 10% of medical fees |
| Outpatient medical treatment | Clinics (1,000 won), hospitals (1,500 won), superior general hospital (2,000 won) | Clinics (1,000 won), hospitals (15% of medical fees), superior general hospital (15% of medical fees) |
| Pharmacies | 500 won (per prescription) | 500 won (per prescription) |
- For further details, call the Health & Welfare Counseling Center (☎129) without an area code, or contact the person in charge of medical benefits at the city/county/district or the welfare team person at the administrative welfare center in the si (city)/myeon/dong(township).
03Procedures of Medical Benefits
Applicants should first apply for medical benefits at their primary medical benefit organization before applying at secondary medical benefit organizations and tertiary medical benefit organization (exceptions apply).
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- Pri-
mary - Medical
practitioners’ offices and
public health centers
- Pri-
- Request (Letter of medical benefit coverage request) Return (Return of referral for medical benefit)
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- Sec-
ond-
ary - Clinics and
general hospitals
- Sec-
- Request (Letter of medical benefit coverage request) Return (Return of referral for medical benefit)
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- Ter-
tiary - Tertiary general hospitals
- Ter-
