A forthcoming amendment to the Health Insurance Act, scheduled to be enforced on April 3, is set to implement fresh regulations affecting health insurance coverage for foreign nationals and overseas South Koreans in South Korea.
The updated legislation dictates that individuals meeting the eligibility criteria must now establish residency in the country for a minimum of six months to qualify as dependents of primary subscribers to the national health insurance. However, a recent report from The Korea Herald sheds light on an exemption within the new rules, specifically for children below 19 years of age and spouses of foreign workers. This exception is intended to streamline the settlement process for families of diplomats and expatriate employees in South Korea, allowing them access to health insurance without being subject to the six-month residency requirement.
According to information from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), overseas South Korean nationals are defined as individuals holding South Korean nationality but residing abroad. The amendment also outlines specific categories of foreign nationals, including those married to South Korean citizens, students with a D-2 visa, individuals on a D-4-3 visa for special training, nonprofessional workers with an E-9 visa, and holders of F-5 permanent residency or F-6 marriage migrant visas, who are eligible for immediate health insurance benefits upon arrival in Korea.
In contrast, parents of foreign spouses of South Korean passport holders, who were previously considered eligible dependents, will now need to fulfill the six-month residency criteria to avail themselves of the health insurance scheme.
This tightening of health insurance eligibility criteria is a response to concerns over potential exploitation of the system by foreign residents. Instances of individuals entering South Korea for short periods, paying minimal insurance fees, and undergoing costly medical treatments prompted increased scrutiny and calls for reforms to prevent misuse of the state medical insurance program.
The revision to the health insurance measure received approval from the National Assembly on December 8 following deliberations on how to effectively address these loopholes in the healthcare system. An official from the NHIS conveyed to The Korea Herald that the more stringent standards are anticipated to enhance the screening process for foreigners benefiting from the service, signifying a more rigorous approach to managing access to the national health insurance system.
