How to take your bi-annual free medical check-up in Korea

Korea amazes us every time, and again it didn't disappoint!

Korea puts a lot of importance on health. Therefore their national insurance, which everyone needs to pay, gives people the great chance to check their health once at two years.

Koreans and foreigners (that stayed more than 6 months in Korea without leaving) alike, have to pay the Korean National Health Insurance or NHIS.

The건강보험 app Korean health insurance

By paying it you have the opportunity to take free health check-ups every 2 years.

How does it work?

People born in years ending with an even number (2,4,6,8) can have free health checkups during the same years, even years. Those born in years ending with an uneven number (1,3,5,7,9) can take it during uneven years.

For us, the check-up was this year as we are born in 1990, 2022 was a year ending in an even number, so we could go and have it!

Step by step where to go and what type of checkups you can get:

1. Download and install the insurance app on your phone The건강보험, you can also do this on the website.

2. Login, or create an account ~ usually by using your phone number and digital certificate 인증

3. Press 검진기관/병(의)원 찾기 and select 일반

4. then the closest clinic to your house will appear on the map

The건강보험 app Korea health

The건강보험 app korea insurance

The건강보험 app korea insurance

The건강보험 app korea insurance

After this, choose the clinic and just walk in the next morning

5. Don't eat the day before, from 8PM, until after the health checkup is done, just drink water

6. When you go there, show them your ID card and the insurance card (in case you didn't receive it, you can access it on the app)

7. Also, tell them you want to do the 국민건강검진, they will know what you talk about

8. Then just follow the nurses and doctors!

What type of health checkup can you do?

- blood pressure and pulse (Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels)

- urine test (A urine test is any medical test performed on a urine specimen. The analysis of urine is a valuable diagnostic tool because its composition reflects the functioning of many body systems, particularly the kidneys and urinary system)

- blood test (A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a hypodermic needle, or via fingerprick. Multiple tests for specific blood components, such as a glucose test or a cholesterol test, are often grouped together into one test panel called a blood panel or blood work)

- x-ray for your lungs (Chest X-rays will show images of your heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways, and the bones of your chest and spine. Chest X-rays can also reveal fluid in or around your lungs or air surrounding a lung)

- height and weight checkup

- hearing and vision check-ups

And only for woman

- HPV test (or cervical cancer) (The Papanicolaou test (abbreviated as Pap test, also known as Pap smear (AE), cervical smear (BE), cervical screening (BE), or smear test (BE)) is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix (opening of the uterus or womb))

Blood pressure check in Korea

Besides that, after all the tests, a doctor will see you and ask you for more information and if you suffer from something else. As well after the screening, you will have to complete a questionnaire (all in Korean) about diseases that your family or yourself have or had in the past, and of course a satisfaction survey.

What is also amazing is that they have water and lockers for you to be comfortable. Everyone is very nice, even if they don't speak English they will help you in any way they can.

You will receive the results by email or post directly at your house. After, is recommended to see your own doctor for further assistance.

If you didn't do your health check-up you still have one month, or for those born in uneven years, starting from January you can go and do it!