KOREAN NET

Patients from May 20 must submit valid identification of themselves to receive health insurance benefits at the country's hospitals and clinics. (Yonhap News)

By Wu Jinhua

Patients at the nation's hospitals, clinics and pharmacies must present valid identification of themselves to receive health insurance benefits.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 17 said that based on the revised National Health Insurance Act, valid forms of ID from May 20 are required for people to receive coverage when receiving treatment covered by such insurance.

Acceptable forms of ID include national residence cards of citizens and expats, e-signatures or authentication services from relevant organizations. Mobile health insurance apps and QR codes can also be conveniently used for the same purpose.

The mandatory ID verification system for health insurance was adopted to prevent those ineligible from coverage and benefits from using other people's names to get them and enhance fairness of the system.

Exempted from the new rule are minors, who might have difficulty verifying their identities. Emergency room patients, people with severe disabilities, those needing long-term care and pregnant women can still receive coverage by simply submitting their residence numbers.

More information on the new system is available on the National Health Insurance Service's official website or via phone service (1577-1000)

"This ID verification system for health insurance is a measure to boost fairness of the health insurance system," said Lee Jung-kyu, director-general of the ministry's Bureau of Health Insurance Policy. "For the system's smooth implementation, please bring your ID when visiting a medical institution or use a mobile health insurance app."

jane0614@korea.kr