Dentistry, Korean traditional medicine (hanbang), psychiatry: 3 types of medical care that foreigners often find confusing
Why is scaling at the dentist covered by insurance, but implants are not? I’ll explain it simply all at once.
Dental scaling and cavity treatment are NHI-covered service (geupyeo). Implants and orthodontics are Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo). In a Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon), acupuncture and moxibustion are NHI-covered service (geupyeo). Psychiatric care is NHI-covered service (geupyeo) (15,000~25,000 KRW).
Dentist: what is covered by insurance vs what is not covered
Dental care is the area that foreigners find the most confusing. Some things are covered by insurance, and some are not.
Dental clinics covered by insurance (NHI-covered service (geupyeo))
Dental treatment not covered by insurance (Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo))
There is one exception. If you are 65 or older, insurance covers up to 2 implants. You only need to pay 30% yourself. If your parents are in Korea, please make sure to tell them.
It also applies the same to foreigners enrolled in health insurance! No matter your nationality, if you are an NHIS member, for age 65 and older, up to 2 implants have a 30% copay. (From 2025, zirconia crowns are also covered by insurance)
Scaling resets every year on January 1. Once in December, once in January — if you do this, you can get it twice with a one-month gap.
Korean traditional medicine (hanbang) (Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon)): Acupuncture is covered, but tonic herbal medicine is not covered.
A Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon) is a unique medical system only in Korea. It can feel unfamiliar to foreigners.
Let me start with the good news. Health insurance also applies at Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon).
Korean traditional medicine (hanbang) treatment covered by insurance (NHI-covered service (geupyeo))
Korean traditional medicine (hanbang) not covered by insurance (Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo))
New changes in 2026: Manual therapy (non-covered) has changed to NHI-covered service (geupyeo). But the out-of-pocket rate is 95%. Still, it is better than paying 100% yourself. If you have back or shoulder pain, try using it.
Korean medicine clinics (hanuiwon) are in almost every neighborhood, so they are easy to access. If it is your first time going, try starting with acupuncture treatment. Quite a lot of foreigners find it helpful for muscle pain, headaches, and similar problems.
Psychiatry: It's cheaper than you think (but only for treatment in Korean)
Many people misunderstand that “psychiatry is expensive.” If you get treatment in Korean, it is much cheaper than you think.
Psychiatry consultation: NHI-covered service (geupyeo) applies
At this price, psychiatric treatment in Korea is quite affordable even by global standards.
The problem is English counseling.
Most counselors (therapists) or psychological counseling that provide treatment in English are Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo).
- English counseling session: 1 time 100,000~200,000 KRW ($74~$148)
- This is not covered by insurance
Why isn’t English counseling covered by insurance?
If you get treatment at a licensed psychiatry clinic, health insurance applies regardless of language. The key point is whether it is a 'licensed Clinic / local doctor's office (1st tier)' or a 'counseling center'.
| Institution | Insurance coverage | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry Clinic / local doctor's office (1st tier) (psychiatric clinic) | ✅ Covered | Consultation + prescription, any language |
| Counseling Center (counseling center) | ❌ Not applied | Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) (100,000~250,000 KRW per session) |
Psychiatry clinics where treatment is available in English:
Consultation in languages other than Korean: Some clinics can provide support in Japanese, Chinese, French, and Spanish.
Help in emergencies:
Need counseling in English, but worried about the cost? First, check whether your company has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Big companies often provide free counseling.
Psychiatric treatment records stay in insurance records, but they do not affect employment or visas in Korea. Don’t worry.
If it’s an emergency: call now
In a mental health crisis, don't worry about money. There is a free hotline.
Mental health crisis counseling hotline: Multicultural Family Support Center
National Pension Service (NPS) Foreign Worker Counseling Center: National Pension Service (NPS)
1345 Foreign Resident Support Center Foreign Resident Support Center: 1345 Foreign Resident Support Center Foreign Resident Support Center
If making a phone call feels burdensome, try visiting the Multicultural Family Support Center. You can meet in person and get help with cultural adjustment and crisis counseling.
What changed from 2025: mental health checkups for young adults
From 2025, mental health checkups for people aged 20–34 have been greatly expanded.
Foreigners enrolled in health insurance can also get free health checkups the same as Koreans. If you are a Workplace subscriber, you are eligible for a checkup every 2 years. Please check the checkup schedule in the The건강보험 (official NHIS app) (official NHIS app) app.
See Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) costs at a glance
I organized the costs that often come up as Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) in dentistry, Korean traditional medicine (hanbang), and psychiatry.
I organized the costs that often come up as Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) in dentistry, Korean traditional medicine (hanbang), and psychiatry.
| Item | Cost (KRW) | USD conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Implant (1 unit) | 800K~1.8M KRW | $590~$1,330 |
| Dental braces | 2M~8M KRW | $1,480~$5,930 |
| Crown (1 piece) | 300K~700K KRW | $220~$520 |
| Tonic medicine (Korean traditional medicine (hanbang)) | 200K~1M KRW | $148~$740 |
| English psychological counseling (1 session) | 100K~200K KRW | $74~$148 |
Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) items have different prices at each hospital. You can compare them on the HIRA website (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA)). Especially for implants, compare at least 3 places.
If you need many Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo), consider Medical expense reimbursement insurance (silson insurance) (supplementary insurance). It covers 70% of Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo).
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Dental clinic: NHI-covered service (geupyeo) / Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) classification
Scaling (once a year), cavity resin filling, tooth extraction = NHI-covered service (geupyeo). Implant, orthodontics = Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo) (paid بالكامل by yourself).
Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon): Acupuncture and moxibustion are NHI-covered service (geupyeo)
Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and Korean traditional medicine (hanbang) physical therapy are NHI-covered service (geupyeo) (30%). Herbal tonics and beauty Korean traditional medicine (hanbang) are Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo).
Psychiatry: if it is a licensed Clinic / local doctor's office (1st tier), it is a NHI-covered service (geupyeo)
Psychiatric clinic consultation + prescription are NHI-covered service (geupyeo). A counseling center is Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo).
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Teeth scaling: 1 time per year as an NHI-covered service (geupyeo)
Out-of-pocket cost: about 15,000~20,000 KRW. If you get it continuously in December + January, you can get it 2 times with a one-month interval.
Age 65+ 2 implants NHI-covered service (geupyeo)
If you are age 65 or older, insurance covers up to 2 implants (30%). Same for foreigners.
Acupuncture treatment at a Korean medicine clinic is an NHI-covered service (geupyeo).
If you get acupuncture treatment at a local Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon), your copay is 30%. It is effective for muscle pain and headaches.
Psychiatry consultation 15,000~25,000 KRW
Licensed psychiatric treatment at a Clinic / local doctor's office (1st tier) is NHI-covered service (geupyeo). Includes prescription medicine. It is relatively affordable worldwide.
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Implant 800K~1.8M KRW per piece
Fully Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo). Prices differ a lot by hospital, so compare at least 3 places.
English psychological counseling is a Non-covered service under NHI (bigeupyeo).
English counseling centers charge 100,000~200,000 KRW per session. First, check your company’s EAP (free counseling).
Manual therapy (non-covered) out-of-pocket cost 95%
Changed to NHI-covered service (geupyeo) in 2026, but your out-of-pocket cost is 95%. Better than 100%, and included in the cap system.
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You may have already received it once this year, or it may have been claimed as another procedure such as deep cleaning. Please contact NHIS National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
No. A Korean medicine clinic (hanuiwon) is a Clinic / local doctor's office (1st tier), so you can go مباشرة without a Referral letter (clinic→hospital). 30% copayment.
At the International Medical Center of a large hospital, you can get care in English. But for outpatient care, your copay is 60%, and you may need a Referral letter (clinic→hospital).
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This guide is for information only, not legal advice. In emergencies, call 119 immediately.