April 11, 2024

World-Class!

Korea has some of the most comprehensive medical centers and universities in the world. And Korea has a very good National Health program if you don't have or want to use TRICARE. However, using TRICARE is made very easy by the majority of Korean hospitals. Hospitals and clinics are modern and efficient with a variety of both Western and Eastern treatment options, and many have International Service Centers to file TRICARE claims directly so you just pay your portion only.

Korea National Health Insurance

Mandatory Enrollment Requirement

Korea National Health Insurance (NHIS) is required after you have been in Korea for a few months in a non-SOFA status, unless you have another qualifying health care insurance such as TRICARE. TRICARE is a qualified health care insurance in Korea, and can be used to waiver the NHIS requirement by submitting an Application for Exclusion to Korea NHIS. See the form here.

Read more about this topic in NHIS Guidance for Foreigners.

When the Korean Government sends you a notice informing you to enroll in NHIS you can opt out with a Employee Health Insurance Withdrawal Application sent back to the health care office.  Here's How:

To apply for this exemption

• Download a Tricare Eligibility Letter from DMDC milConnect from the the Correspondence/Documentation menu, the eCorrespondence, Proof of Coverage tab.
• Take the TRICARE letter to your local Korea NHIS office
• Create an Employee Health Insurance Withdrawal Application byfilling out an Application for Exclusion for Health Insurance for Overseas Nationals and Foreign Workers form.  Contact with the NHIS call center (contact info below) for detailed exception conditions.
• This process will cancel Korea NHIS. It's pretty easy and fast.
  
  

About NHIS

Korean National Health Insurance is similar to U.S. Medicare Parts A & B, but does not have the age 65 requirement. According to those who use it, the cost is similar to Medicare.  Generally, if you have NHIS you will not be able to go directly to the Medical Centers as with TRICARE, rather you will have to be referred by a local Korean doctor, so seeing a doctor will usually be first.

If you have NHIS and TRICARE, NHIS is considered Other Health Insurance (OHI) and pays first. Then you will have to submit a claim with TRICARE to try and get reimbursed for the remainder that NHIS doesn't pay, but be warned it is not guaranteed TRICARE will cover it.

NHIS does not have a catastrophic cap like TRICARE does, so your out-of-pocket costs will probably vary greatly for expensive procedures.

NHIS does offer a free annual dental check and eye exam, although any procedures need as results are of course paid for.

Some retirees decide to not enroll in Medicare and go solely with NHIS. While we all have our own situations to satisfy, there are some disadvantages to this:

• You are no longer eligible to use TRICARE
• You have no health care coverage when you to go to the U.S.
• You lose the option to seek treatment at a Military Treatment Facility at any military base world-wide.
• If you decide later to get TRICARE back, there is a huge Medicare enrollment penalty of a 10% increase for every year past 65 you did not have Medicare in monthly Medicare Part B premiums.

Help Finding Korean Medical Services

Find a doctor

Choosing a doctor isn’t the same as finding a restaurant or nearby attraction. A well know source to help with this is the U-MEDI platform https://www.u-medi.com, which provides detailed profiles and medical information of doctors, including their qualifications, clinical experience hospital quality, patient reviews and more. From family doctors to psychiatrists, OB/GYN, neurologists, cardiologists, plastic surgeons. allergists, dermatologists, Korean traditional medicine and more, They can help you find a specialized doctor specific for your health needs.

Find a Hospital

Below you will see a link to the NAVIGATING KOREAN HOSPTIALS HANDBOOK created and provided (and updated annually) by the Brian D. Allgood Army Hospital (BDAACH) on USAG Humphreys.  It is an invaluable resource that will tell you pretty much ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about, in a word, World-Class Korean hospitals and medical centers.

Hospital interpretation

Almost all of the major hospitals in Korea speak English or have excellent translation programs available. All the major hospitals also have excellent English speaking International Service Centers, the same centers that process TRICARE etc.

When admitted to a Korean hospital, it is the family’s responsibility to care for the patient, such as getting them to and from the bathroom, bathing, and just basically taking care of the patient as a nurse might do in the US. It is very common for them to be with the 'most' of the time.

Having Both TRICARE and NHIS

Some retirees choose to have both NHIS while keeping TRICARE. Everyone's situation is different, so this might work for some, but you must weigh the coverages and costs to see if this is right for you.  Generally it would not be worthwhile, but your specific families situation would dictate what is best for you. Some things to consider:

• NHIS is Other Health Insurance (OHI), so it becomes your medical bills first payer
• Double insurance payments: paying for NHIS and Medicare PArt B for TRICARE
• Filing with TRICARE as the second payer is not guaranteed to get your out-of-pocket money back
  
  

NHIS Contact Information

Tel. 1577-1000 Dial 7 for information on foreign languages
Tel. 033-811-2000 Service in foreign languages, including English

Preparing For Korean Hospital Stay

Support is on YOU

Support for you and your stay in a Korean hospital depends on you and your family. Do not expect the nurses or hospital staff to assist with anything other than hospital requirements. It is also required that you have a guardian or caretaker with you during your stay, because again, the nurses and hospital staff are not responsible.

Note: Only one person will be allowed to accompany you in your ward.

Some things to keep in mind when planning a Korean hospital stay:

• Hand Sanitizer or Towelettes – Bring your own.
• Medicines – Keep in their original containers. This will ensure nurse or attendants don't confuse them, and enable the hospital to combine and schedule your medications with the ones they give you and prevent adverse side effects from drug incompatibilities.
• Street clothes – One change should be sufficient if you'll be wearing hospital issued garments.
• Pajamas -If you are a large person, the hospital may have trouble fitting you with their patient clothing. Bring your own loose-fitting PJs and robe.
• Anti-Slip Socks or Slippers – If your feet are too large for hospital issued footwear, bring your own. You will not be allowed to walk around bare foot.
• Eyeglasses – Carry extra pair as a precaution.
• Toiletries – Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, comb (Travel-size recommended)
• Electronics - Shaver, cellphone and charger, small flashlight, reading light.//Earplugs and eye mask if noise and light disrupts sleep. Earbuds or headset for privacy.
• Snacks if you have food issues with hospital cuisine. Clear with medical personnel first since some might affect medicines given to you.
• Books, magazines, puzzles, and/or writing materials.
• Personal Attendant – if family members are not available or friends able to assist you during your hospital stay. Attendant services are available through the hospital for a daily fee.  Choose one with language skills and/or physical abilities that meet your needs.
• Translate as many English documents to Korean as you think you may need. Google Translate is easy and free.  A cell phone app called Papago is an excellent app for translating Korean into English via scanning docs, photos, signs ect.
• Have money to cover items TRICARE may not, or may not in the time you need. Almost everyone accepts credit card. You will not be discharged without first paying the bill.
• Know your height and weight using the metric system
• Request a semi-private, 2-person room, when possible. Try and avoid the wards, which are commonly open bay, curtainless rooms.
• When possible, try to use the larger, major medical facilities avoiding the smaller hospitals.