Sharp Increase Attributed to Amended Regulations
The number of foreigners, including Korean nationals residing abroad, who have enrolled in South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) has reached 1.2 million.
The enrollment of foreigners has increased 218,000 since July 16 when the country’s revised law went into effect requiring all foreigners, including Korean nationals residing overseas, staying in Korea for six months or longer to sign up for its national health service.
The figure stood at 971,000 as of the end of December last year.
Previously, the number of foreigners, including Korean nationals residing overseas, with employer insurance stood at 664,529, accounting for 68.4 percent of the total, while those with regional insurance reached 306,670, taking up 31.6 percent.
Foreigners who have newly signed up for the state healthcare service as a local policyholder should pay more than 110,000 won (US$93) per month. The figure goes over 113,500 won (US$96) when including premiums for long-term care for the elderly.
However, foreign students will be exempted from the mandatory subscription to the state health insurance program until February 2021 considering their special circumstances.