South Korea Health Insurance
The Republic of Korea, known as South Korea, is a mountainous nation with a population of almost 48 million people. South Korea is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. It shares a border with North Korea and is neighboured by China, Japan and Taiwan. The capital city is Seoul, which is home to just over one fifth of the country’s population.
South Korea’s territory also includes approximately 3,000 small, mostly uninhabited islands and 20 national parks. Its mainland can be divided into 4 areas, the east with its high mountains and narrow coastal plains, the west with rolling hills, river basins and broader coastal plains, the south west which is home to mountains and valleys and the south east which contains the Nakdong river. South Korea has a humid subtropical climate with a rainy season from June to July. Winters can drop below -20 degrees in inland South Korea but are not as severe along the southern coast.
South Korea was invaded by neighbouring North Korea in 1950 which sparked the beginning of the Korean War. The two Koreas subsequently made a cease-fire agreement, however the border between the two nations remains one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world. Tensions still exist between North and South Korea after North Koreas missile tests which allegedly killed 46 South Koreans in 2010 and sunk the warship they were on. Due to the number of invasions and ongoing tensions with North Korea, the South Korean Government maintains the world’s 6th largest number of active military troops. The Government allocates 15 percent of its total spending to military.
South Korea has grown into a major economy and is now the 4th largest economy in Asia. It is a high income developed country. The economy is driven by exports of electronics, vehicles, machinery, robotics, shipping vessels and machinery. In 2010 South Korea was the 6th largest exporter in the world. Its citizens enjoy a high standard of living and a liberal democracy.
South Korea and the European Union (EU) have recently signed a free trade agreement which is of great significance as the South Korea exports many of its products to the EU. The EU is currently South Korea’s 2nd largest export market.
South Korea Health Care and Insurance
South Korea has national health insurance (NHI) which was implemented in 1977 for employees and gradually extended until it covered the entire population by 1989. NHI requires compulsory health insurance for all South Korean citizens. Financing of NHI is done through contributions from users, employers, Government subsidies and tobacco taxes. Users pay different premiums depending on their income level, age, place of residence (citizens living on Islands or in remote areas pay less) and property holdings. Citizens serving in South Koreas military services are exempt from paying NHI premiums.
Users can choose from a list of medical facilities including both private and public facilities. Patients pay a fee for service (FFS) for referrals from one medical facility to another. The majority of healthcare is undertaken by the private facilities which account for 92.6 percent of the medical facilities in South Korea.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is responsible for setting the policies for the healthcare sector and the level of reimbursement that the medical facilities receive for providing services. NHI provides comprehensive healthcare for its users including preventative care, both inpatient (hospitalisation) and outpatient services (Doctors visits etc), prescription medications, dental care and traditional medicine.
The medical facilities in South Korea have state of the art facilities and are well equipped. Facilities include general hospitals, local hospitals and clinics. Western style medical facilities are available in the main city centres including Seoul, Busan and Daegu. However not all Doctors in the city medical facilities are able to speak English and most of the Doctors in the rural areas do not speak English. The pharmacies in South Korea and well stocked with prescription medications. Ambulances are available in South Korea, however their equipment and the training of their staff falls below that of other developed countries. Travellers to South Korea should ensure that they have medical insurance so that they have peace of mind that they are receiving the best medical care.
South Korea is focused on treating healthcare problems rather than preventing them. Due to environmental pollution, chronic diseases account for the majority of diseases in South Korea. In 2008 South Korea had the highest suicide rate in the developed world. Also approximately 33 % of all adults in South Korea smoke cigarettes. Previously the Government did not seek accountability from medical facilities. This lack of governance led to poor health statistics, including excessive use of antibiotics, the most MRI machines per head of population in the world and approximately 40% of births being delivered by c section. South Korea has too many specialists compared to other nations with more 80% of Doctors specialising and prescribing expensive tests and highly expensive medical care for patients.
South Korea is becoming a destination for medical tourism as the country offers world class medical facilities for a fraction of the cost of treatment in a high cost country such as the United States. The medical facilities are extremely efficient and many of the Doctors are trained overseas. The South Korean Government are encouraging medical tourism by marketing the concept and easing visa requirements. The country is a popular destination for those seeking plastic and cosmetic surgery and stem cell transplants for the treatment of cancer. Many of the hospitals have created international departments to cater to medical tourists.
Yonsei University Hospital and the Seoul Global Centre in Seoul are two of the most popular medical facilities for medical tourists and tourists requiring emergency treatment. Medical facilities in South Korea generally require travellers to make advance payment for their treatment in the way of cash or credit card. Travellers are advised to take out medical insurance for South Korea to cover the cost of any emergency treatment required during their stay.
South Korea Travel Advice
The crime rate in South Korea is low however travellers should exercise caution when travelling alone at night and only use legitimate means of transportation. Pick pocketing, assault, hotel room burglary and sexual assault have occurred in larger parts of South Korea such as the capital city Seoul.
The emergency phone number to dial is 112 or 02-112 from a mobile telephone. If an ambulance is required travellers should phone the fire department on 119.
Tap water has recently become safe to drink however bottled or boiled water is recommended. Travellers need to be aware that the air quality in South Korea is poor and acid rain, sulphur oxides and yellow dust can cause respiratory problems. Travellers should ensure that their childhood vaccinations are updated (specifically measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) and polio). The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends visitors be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid fever and Japanese encephalitits (if visiting rural farm areas). Travellers heading to forest areas in South Korea should take precautions to ensure that they are not bitten by insects which spread tick borne encephalitis. Travellers should ensure that they have medical insurance for South Korea to cover them if they develop an illness.
During the months of March to December travellers to certain parts of South Korea are at risk of contracting malaria and may need to take anti malarial medications before travelling to South Korea. These parts include rural areas in the North of Incheon, Kangwon-do and Kyonggi provinces.
South Korea Expat Health Insurance
Travellers to South Korea can rest assured that if they require medical treatment during their stay, that they will be good hands. South Korea offers world class medical facilities at an affordable price. To ensure that you and your family are covered for any routine or unexpected healthcare in South Korea, expat health insurance or travel insurance should be taken out healthcare. At Global Health Insurance we work with a large number of international medical insurers and can help find the best insurer for you. Please contact us today for a no obligation free quotation from one of our medical insurance specialists on your South Korea expat health insurance needs.
Recent Questions / Comments:
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| do you have any insurance plan for Ivf treatment? Like if the first attempt is not successful then is there any plan to cover the next attempt? | |
