Subscribers of Chinese nationality had a deficit of 22.9 billion won ($17.5 million) in health insurance last year, data submitted by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) to Nam In-soon of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea reveals.
In contrast, foreign subscribers overall had a surplus of 556 billion won. Foreign nationals, including overseas Koreans, paid 1.79 trillion won in insurance premiums and received benefits totaling 1.23 trillion won.
However, the deficit among Chinese subscribers has been decreasing consistently. In 2018, the deficit reached its peak at 150.9 billion won, but it has steadily declined to 98.7 billion won in 2019, 23.9 billion won in 2020, and 10.9 billion won in 2021.
The rebound last year can be attributed to China reopening its borders.
The reduction in NHIS’ financial deficit can be primarily attributed to system improvements implemented over the years. Since July 2019, the government has required foreign nationals to subscribe to local health insurance unless companies cover them or are dependent family members.
Under the current system, those insured by companies can enroll their family members as dependents if they meet specific requirements, regardless of nationality. However, the NHIS has identified cases where some foreign nationals register distant relatives as dependents and exploit the system by entering Korea to receive treatment and leaving immediately.
In light of these findings, health insurance authorities plan to further refine the system for foreign dependents in the future.
