Help with hospital bills even without insurance
The day we opened the government source and matched the numbers. This is not a labor attorney's review.
If you have no health insurance and worry about hospital bills, the Ministry of Health and Welfare runs a medical aid program for foreign workers. It helps pay when you need to be hospitalized or have surgery.
Who can receive it?
- Foreign workers who cannot use health insurance, medical aid or industrial accident insurance
- Their spouse and children under 18
- People who have stayed in Korea 90 days or more, fell ill in Korea, and have worked here
If you have stayed in Korea less than 90 days, check at the hospital desk and with the Ministry of Health and Welfare call center 129 whether you can receive support.
What does it cover?
How do I apply?
Apply at a hospital that runs the program. The National Medical Center, regional public medical centers (for example Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center) and Red Cross hospitals are typical. Ask the administration desk whether you can receive “foreign worker medical aid”.
Read next
Rules change often, and the same rule applies differently to different people. Check your own case with 1350 (Ministry of Employment and Labor customer center). Its phone counseling in foreign languages is in English and Chinese. For your own language, ask 1345 (Immigration Contact Center).
This is reference material. Rules change often — always confirm with the hotline below before you file anything.
Sources
- Ministry of Health and Welfare — Medical aid for foreign workers (2025 guide) 보건복지부 — 외국인 근로자 등 의료지원 사업 안내(2025.1.) checked 2026-09-25
- HIRA — Medical aid program for foreign workers 건강보험심사평가원 — 외국인근로자 등 의료지원 사업 checked 2026-09-25
- Gov24 — Medical aid for foreign workers 정부24 — 외국인근로자 등 의료지원 checked 2026-09-25