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 (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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Tel. 1577-1000 Dial 7 for information on foreign languages
Tel. 033-811-2000 Service in foreign languages, including English
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.
Produced by the Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital (BDAACH), USAG Humphreys as a valuable resource to assist you, alleviate your concerns, and address questions you may have to better prepare for your visit to a Korean hospital.
