Health insurance
Can treatment received outside Korea be covered by insurance?
Having insurance bought in Korea does not automatically cover a hospital bill in Italy or another country. Coverage for treatment abroad depends on the type of insurance and its policy terms.
Many Korean medical-expense products are designed for costs incurred at medical providers in Korea. Such a product may not cover costs from a medical provider abroad. Travel insurance or long-term overseas-stay insurance, by contrast, may include separate coverage for illness or injury treatment outside Korea.
Before receiving treatment abroad, or before leaving Korea, check:
- how the policy defines a medical provider;
- whether the covered territory is limited to Korea;
- whether overseas illness and injury medical expenses are covered;
- what exclusions apply to pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and childbirth, dental treatment or non-emergency treatment;
- whether you must contact the insurer or obtain approval before treatment;
- what information local medical documents must contain and whether originals or translations are required; and
- in which currency and to which account a claim can be paid.
Examples from official insurer information
Current information for one insurer’s Korean medical-expense insurance expressly says that the product does not reimburse medical expenses incurred at medical providers abroad. The official product range of another insurer separately includes travel and long-term overseas-stay insurance.
These examples show that Korean medical-expense insurance and insurance for risks abroad can be separate contracts. They do not mean that no Korean insurance covers treatment abroad or that overseas insurance covers every treatment. Check your product name and policy terms.
Practical steps in an emergency
If you receive emergency treatment abroad, keep the medical provider’s name, treatment date, diagnosis and treatment details, receipts and proof of payment, and contact the insurer as soon as possible. Confirm with the insurer which documents are sufficient and whether translations are required.
Claims to avoid
- “Korean medical-expense insurance can be used abroad.”
- “Korean insurance never covers overseas hospital costs.”
- “Travel insurance covers every treatment abroad.”