The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Sat, January 23, 2021 | 23:45
Health & Welfare
Foreign students in Korea to be exempted from new health insurance system
Posted : 2019-06-26 16:03
Updated : 2019-06-26 18:53
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Bahk Eun-ji

Foreign students here will be exempted from the mandatory registration in the state health insurance program until February 2021, the insurance program operator said Wednesday.

The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced they would delay forcing foreign students to register by revising the relevant enforcement regulations, adding it would collect public opinion on the issue by July 5.

The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Wednesday that they would delay forcing foreign students to register by revising the relevant enforcement regulations. Korea Times file
The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Wednesday that they would delay forcing foreign students to register by revising the relevant enforcement regulations. Korea Times file
Initially the government planned to implement compulsory registration for all foreigns who have stayed in Korea for at least six months, including students, starting July 16. Under the new rule, these foreigners must subscribe to the state healthcare program.

They would have to pay up to 113,050 won ($97.50) per month on average, though the NHIS decided to halve the amount for foreign students following criticism that it would place a high financial burden on them.

So far, foreign students have usually been covered by private medical insurance programs mediated through their host university. Despite limits in coverage, it has been financially more accessible to students, set at around 10,000 won per month.

Despite the 50 percent cut in the monthly premium, calls have continued for foreign students to be given an exemption from the new rule.

Accepting the complaints, the government decided to extend the exemption to students until the end of February 2021.

"We decided on the delay by considering opinions from various sectors, including the education ministry, that the government needs to consider the specific situation of foreign students who are mostly registered with private insurance programs," an NHIS official said.


Emailejb@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
WooriBank
 
  • World Trade Organization rules in favor of South Korea in lawsuit against US
  • [INTERVIEW] Ex-US envoy calls China 'malign influence,' urges Seoul to join new alliance
  • Samsung Electronic seeks Intel chip outsourcing deal
  • Woman gets suspended jail term for assaulting mother-in-law
  • Korea gears up to start COVID-19 vaccinations next month
  • [INTERVIEW] Climate change revolutionaries: Why students in Korea hit the streets
  • Cannonball Joe
  • Growing number of Koreans refuse life-sustaining treatment
  • Biden orders masks, travel clampdown in new war on COVID-19
  • [INTERVIEW] Korea urged to brace for side effects of 'Bidenomics'
  • Seolhyun's first social media posts since AOA bullying scandal get mixed reactions Seolhyun's first social media posts since AOA bullying scandal get mixed reactions
  • Why have K-pop dance practice videos become so popular? Why have K-pop dance practice videos become so popular?
  • [K-POP INTERVIEW] What are MOMOLAND's comfort foods? [VIDEO] [K-POP INTERVIEW] What are MOMOLAND's comfort foods? [VIDEO]
  • Korean National Ballet, KBS criticized for dangerous filming location Korean National Ballet, KBS criticized for dangerous filming location
  • [INTERVIEW] Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen [INTERVIEW] Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president

    Biden takes office as 46th president

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright