False health insurance claims were made by 324,794 foreigners between 2014 and August of this year. (image: Kobiz Media / Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The value of national health insurance subsidies falsely claimed by foreigners residing in Korea over the last five years totaled 28 billion won(US$24.8 million).
According to data submitted to Rep. Hong Chol-ho of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party by the National Health Insurance Service, false health insurance claims were made by 324,794 foreigners between 2014 and August of this year.
The culprits borrowed or stole insurance certificates to benefit from a claim, or received subsidies even after being disqualified from insurance coverage.
Hong sits on the National Assembly’s Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee.
The total monetary amount of the false claims made by 61,846 individuals last year was 6.84 billion won, which is double the value from 2013 (3.38 billion won, 48,548 people).
The lawmaker said that some foreigners would visit the nation temporarily for the sole purpose of receiving medical treatment. “After being subsidized for their treatments, these individuals just leave the country.”
The lawmaker called for tighter measures that would see residents wait six months or longer before qualifying to receive subsidized medical treatment.
The current law bestows subsidized medical privileges when foreigners live in Korea for three months or more.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
