If you are subscribed to the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS),
there are certain examinations that are offered for free or for a minimum cost
(around 10%). I read in a forum online that it is recommended that you get them
done because if you end up with a disease that could have been detected by
these exams, the insurance will not pay for the medical expenses involved.
When I first received a letter from the National Health
Insurance two years ago, it was only for a cervical cancer test. This time the
tests I am eligible for are general health exam, oral exam and cervical cancer
exam. The other exams are only applicable if you have reached a certain age (usually
40 to 50 years old). The letter they send also includes a list of hospitals and
clinics in your area and shows the examinations they can conduct.
In my experience (when I went for my tests and when I
accompanied my husband for his gastroscopy), everything was in Korean. The
forms were all in Korean and the nurses and doctors spoke Korean but they
sometimes used a few English words to explain things. If your Korean is not
that good, it is advisable to have a Korean friend with you who can help with
filling out the forms and explaining things to you.
I will detail my experience with the three examinations in
the next post.
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