Leaving South Korea for more than three months? Check your health insurance before departure

People planning to stay abroad for at least three months can now report the suspension of South Korea’s National Health Insurance benefits online before departure.

The National Health Insurance Service said the expanded “departure benefit suspension reporting service” works through its website and mobile app without separate documents. Previously, applicants had to visit a service office or send a fax.

The benefit suspension procedure stops domestic health insurance coverage during a long stay overseas. Under the relevant rules, benefits are suspended when a person remains abroad for at least three months. Depending on the subscriber’s type and eligibility, premiums may be waived or excluded from the premium calculation.

Applicants can search for “overseas departure benefit suspension/entry report” on the agency’s website or use the health insurance eligibility section of the mobile app. Office visits, fax submissions and customer-center reporting remain available.

The online service does not cover workplace subscribers. Employees must have their employers handle the relevant reporting process.