Tips for Your Free Korean NHIS Health Checkup

Do You Qualify for the NHIS Health Checkup?

Have you lived in Korea for more than three-months and received your visa from the Immigration Office? Then you’re most likely on the National Health Insurance Service plan and can receive a free health checkup in Korea. If there’s still confusion, call the Customer Center at 033) 811-2000 for help in a foreign language.   

Do You Qualify? Then Wait for Your Mail!

Depending on whether your birth year ends in an odd or even number, you’ll receive a letter from the NHIS. For example, if you’re born in 1992 then you’ll get a letter for this year, 2020. The letter lets you know where you can get your biennial checkup and also has a little pamphlet that explains what tests you qualify for and the cost for certain tests. I received my letter and pamphlet in Korean so I don’t know if any of the information is physically available in any other language. But their website is available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese!

The biennial health checkup is free for all NHIS users. There are certain restrictions and policies that you have to follow or qualify for so please check the images I’ve provided from the letter I received for more information.

Process of Your NHIS Health Checkup

After making a reservation at a local clinic, or an international clinic (you can complete the NHIS checkup at any participating location in Korea), you’ll have to fast for 8-9 hours before. So if you can, make an appointment in the morning, it made it much easier to fast. I was also worried about undergoing anesthesia for my first checkup but it was fine. There’s no need to worry about driving or taking public transportation afterward. 

At the clinic they’ll have you fill out a lengthy questionnaire, so make sure to know your medical history as best as possible and have your ARC card ready! After waiting for your turn, you’ll be shuffled about and have a slew of tests completed. They’ll check for obesity, your eyes, blood pressure, heart, blood, diabetes, the intestines, lungs, and oral health. 

Depending on age and sex, they’ll also let you know if you’re qualified to be checked for different varieties of cancers. Again, check your letter before you make a reservation and ask for certain tests to be done!

For the Ladies Only: Cervical Cancer Check

As I’m female, I apologize that I cannot give any information and talk more about male-specific medical tests. Personally, the most anxiety-ridden portion of the health checkup was the test for cervical cancer. It’s always nerve-wracking when you have to take off your pants for anyone, especially for a doctor, checking for cancer, and the fact that I haven’t been to a gynecologist in a few years did not help. I was a bit more anxious because the clinic that I went to didn’t have anyone who I was able to communicate in English with well. But it ended up being a routine pap smear and test for HPV and the doctor and nurses made me feel as comfortable as possible! If it’s your first time though, they’ll take you in for a consultation. The next time I make an appointment, I’ll be sure to make a reservation with an English-speaking clinic. Or work on my Korean so that I can communicate better during my NHIS health checkup. 

After your NHIS Health Checkup!

For me, the last part of the checkup was my pap smear, so after putting my pants back on, I was able to head on home, without any problem! 

Afterward, your results will be mailed back to you! Mine came in a few weeks’ time, so don’t be too worried if it seems a bit late. But you can also check your records online and on the mobile app available on the App Store only. I don’t think the app is available on the Android App Store as of right now. 

I hope this makes your health checkup much easier!