Pregnancy and childbirth medical cost support (National Happiness card)
The National Happiness card provides support for pregnancy and childbirth medical costs. Apply as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.
What it covers
- Prenatal check-up costs
- Ultrasound, blood tests and other care
- Delivery costs
- Postnatal care
- Items and amounts change — check with 1577-1000 or 129
Steps
- Get the pregnancy confirmation certificate from your obstetrician.
- Apply for the card at a bank or card company counter, through their app, or online.
- Register the pregnancy information. Points are only loaded once the pregnancy is registered with the NHIS. Hospitals often do this, or you apply directly.
- Receive the card and use it at the hospital.
- Check the expiry. It runs until a set period after birth; unused points expire.
What you need
- Pregnancy confirmation certificate
- Alien Registration Card
- Health insurance eligibility
- ID for card issuance
Where to go
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service
- 129 health and welfare counselling
- The bank or card company issuing the card
- Your nearest public health centre
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (13 languages)
Questions people ask
Are foreign residents eligible? If you are enrolled in health insurance, yes. It can vary by status — check with 1577-1000.
The points haven't been loaded. Usually the pregnancy registration is missing. Check with the hospital or the Service.
Where can I use it? At obstetrics clinics, midwifery centres and other designated places. Ask "do you accept the National Happiness card?"
I'm having twins. The amount may differ. Check with 1577-1000.
The expiry has passed. Remaining points are lost. Check the expiry as soon as you get the card and set a reminder.
Take care
Apply in the same week you confirm the pregnancy. Applying late makes it hard to be reimbursed for check-ups already paid. After birth, the first-meeting voucher loads onto the same card.
Related
pregnancy-check · prenatal-care · childbirth-cost · first-meeting-voucher
Source
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Bokjiro www.bokjiro.go.kr / As of 2026-08