Inpatient Treatment and Insurance Coverage — What to Know
Table of Contents
Inpatient care at a Korean medicine clinic is covered by insurance
Inpatient treatment at a Korean medicine clinic is covered by both National Health Insurance and indemnity (private) medical insurance. Many people worry that the cost of staying at a Korean medicine clinic will be a burden, but with insurance applied, out-of-pocket expenses are greatly reduced, easing the financial burden.
Items covered by National Health Insurance
- Hospitalization fee: Basic inpatient charges, including room fee and nursing care fee
- Acupuncture: Body acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and other acupuncture treatments covered by National Health Insurance
- Moxibustion and cupping: Procedures covered as health insurance benefits
- Chuna manipulation: Insurance-covered within the annual benefit limit
Using indemnity insurance
If you have indemnity medical insurance (also called "silson" insurance in Korea), you can be reimbursed for most of the remaining out-of-pocket costs after National Health Insurance coverage, as well as for many non-covered items. Items such as herbal medicine prescriptions and pharmacopuncture are often reimbursable through indemnity insurance, so please check with your insurance provider.
Things to know before admission
- Check your indemnity insurance coverage in advance (whether Korean medicine inpatient care is covered, whether non-covered items are covered)
- For traffic accident cases, the full cost of inpatient treatment can be covered by automobile insurance
- For workers' compensation patients, treatment expenses are supported by industrial accident compensation insurance
- Documents such as the hospitalization certificate, medical certificate, and treatment receipts should be obtained at discharge and kept on file
Start with a no-pressure consultation
The need for inpatient treatment, the expected duration, and estimated costs can all be reviewed accurately during an in-person consultation. Even if you are unsure about insurance coverage, our administrative team will help confirm coverage with your insurer, so please feel free to consult us first.