Health insurance and proving your identity
You must prove your identity when receiving treatment. The Alien Registration Card is the most reliable.
What works
- Alien Registration Card — the most reliable
- Passport
- Mobile identity verification — the NHIS app and similar
- A paper insurance card is not needed; your registration number is enough to look you up
Steps
- Hand your ID to the registration desk.
- Your eligibility is checked. If enrolled, you pay only your share.
- If nothing comes up, find out why. Arrears, a status change or mismatched details.
- If there is a problem, contact 1577-1000.
What you need
- Alien Registration Card (or passport)
- The NHIS mobile app, if useful
Where to go
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service
- www.nhis.or.kr · the NHIS mobile app
- Your nearest branch
Questions people ask
I left my card at home. A passport or other ID may work. If not, pay in full for now and ask about settlement or a refund afterwards.
It says I'm not eligible. You may be in arrears or mid-change of status. Check with 1577-1000.
Can I use a friend's card? That is a crime. The full cost is recovered, you face punishment, and it affects your stay.
I lost my card. See the lost-arc guide. Use your passport until the replacement arrives.
Take care
Identity checks at hospitals have been tightened. Arriving without ID can delay treatment, so carry it at all times.
Related
hospital-registration · nhis-foreigners-overview · lost-arc
Source
National Health Insurance Service www.nhis.or.kr / As of 2026-08