Key facts
- NHIS says foreigners staying more than six months are subject to mandatory enrollment.
- NHIS outpatient co-payment at clinic-level providers is 30% of covered costs.
- Key Korean documents: 진료비 영수증 (receipt) and 진료비 세부산정내역서 (itemized statement), available on request.
- Allianz Care says claims must be submitted within six months after the end of the insurance year.
- Veneers, whitening and most orthodontics are typically not covered by NHIS.
This page is general information, not insurance advice; your policy wording always comes first.
How does dental insurance work for expats in Korea?
Most expats deal with two layers: Korea's national health insurance (NHIS), which is applied at the clinic, and private or international insurance, which usually reimburses you after you pay. At Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, NHIS-covered items are billed with your co-payment, and for private claims you can ask for itemized receipts and treatment records on request to send to your insurer.
Please do not count on direct billing to an international insurer. Plan to pay at the clinic and claim afterward, and ask at booking if you have questions about payment.
What does NHIS cover at the dentist?
NHIS covers basic, medically necessary dental care for enrolled members, while most cosmetic and many advanced treatments are not covered. The NHIS states that foreigners who have stayed in Korea for more than six months are subject to mandatory enrollment, and that covered care is the same as for Korean citizens. Its English guide gives an outpatient co-payment of 30% of covered costs at clinic-level providers.
- Typically covered: one scaling per calendar year for adults 19+, basic fillings, extractions, root canal treatment and gum treatment; implants (up to two) and dentures for people 65+ with a co-payment.
- Typically not covered: veneers, whitening, Invisalign and most orthodontics, and most crowns and implants for adults under 65.
Always confirm your own eligibility with NHIS, which offers an English call center at 033-811-2000. Our guide to NHIS dental coverage for foreigners explains the rules in detail.
Which documents should I ask for?
Korean clinics use standard document types. Ask for the ones your insurer needs, ideally before treatment begins, so they can be prepared at the right visit.
| Document | Korean name | What it shows | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment fee receipt | 진료비 영수증 | Total paid, split into covered and non-covered amounts | Proof of payment for almost every claim |
| Itemized statement | 진료비 세부산정내역서 | Each item or procedure and its fee | Insurers that need line-by-line detail |
| Treatment confirmation | 진료확인서 | Dates of visits and treatment received | Claims that ask for proof of treatment dates |
| Dentist's note or diagnosis | 소견서 / 진단서 | Diagnosis and reason for treatment | Insurers that ask for medical necessity |
| X-rays and records | — | Images and treatment notes | Pre-approval, appeals and your home dentist |
Some certificates may carry a small issuing fee; ask at the desk. English versions of documents can be requested; let us know what your insurer needs so we can tell you what is possible. See our guide to English dental records and receipts.
How do I claim from an international insurer?
- Read your policy: check dental limits, waiting periods, and whether major treatment needs pre-approval.
- Get a written plan: ask for a treatment plan with reference fees to send for pre-approval if required.
- Attend and pay: pay at the clinic after each visit or as agreed in your plan.
- Collect documents: ask for the receipt, itemized statement and any notes your insurer lists.
- Submit the claim: use your insurer's app, portal or email, and keep the originals.
- Track it: respond quickly to any request for extra information.
What do major international insurers ask for?
Requirements differ by insurer and plan, so check yours. Two examples from insurers' own pages:
- Cigna Global asks members who have paid for treatment to send their invoice and claim form, and provides a separate dental claim form. It accepts claims through its online Customer Area, by email, fax or post, and says that if you provide confirmation of your diagnosis or an explanation of treatment you do not need to send a claim form.
- Allianz Care asks members to keep original receipts when sending copies, as it may request originals for up to 12 months after settlement, and says claims must be submitted no later than six months after the end of the insurance year.
Our guide on dental insurance claims in Korea walks through more examples.
What is usually covered by private dental plans?
Many expat plans cover routine and basic care more fully than major or cosmetic work, and many have yearly limits. Crowns, implants and orthodontics are often subject to waiting periods, co-insurance or pre-approval, and cosmetic treatment such as veneers and whitening is commonly excluded. Ask your insurer before you book, not after. For a cost view, read our post on dental costs with and without insurance.
What if my treatment spans several months?
Implants, braces and some veneer plans run across many visits, and sometimes across two insurance years. Ask for a receipt after every visit rather than one total at the end, so each payment can be matched to the right policy period. If your plan has a yearly limit, your insurer may reimburse part of the work in one year and the rest the next. Check deadlines for each period, since a late claim can be refused even when the treatment itself is covered.
How can I avoid claim problems?
- Use the same name spelling as on your policy and passport.
- Ask for documents at the visit when the treatment happens, rather than months later.
- Keep receipts for each visit separately, especially for multi-visit treatment.
- Check whether your insurer needs a diagnosis or tooth number on documents.
- Make digital copies of everything before you send it.
What if I am leaving Korea soon?
Use your remaining NHIS cover before you go, for example your yearly scaling, and collect records for your next dentist. Our guide to a dental check-up before leaving Korea has a checklist. If you are a teacher on a contract, see also our page for English teachers in Korea.
Is any of this a promise of reimbursement?
No. Only your insurer decides what it pays. We can explain your treatment and prepare documents on request, but we cannot confirm coverage for you. Treatment decisions should be based on your dental needs, not only on insurance. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required.
Book a consultation
Need a written plan for pre-approval, or have questions about receipts? Write to us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or request an appointment. Our English-speaking team in Gangnam is directly in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station (Line 9).
Frequently asked questions
Can Lucid Dental bill my insurer directly?
Please plan on paying at the clinic and then claiming from your insurer with the documents you ask us for. If your insurer offers a special arrangement, ask us at booking before your visit.
Can I claim NHIS and private insurance for the same treatment?
NHIS is applied at the clinic first. Some private plans then reimburse part of your co-payment or non-covered costs; check your policy, as rules vary.
My insurer wants a tooth number on the receipt. Is that possible?
Tell us exactly what your insurer requires before your visit. We will explain which details can be included in the documents we provide on request.
How long does it take to get documents?
Standard receipts are usually available at the end of the visit. Notes or certificates may take longer, so request them early, ideally when you book.
Does travel insurance cover dental treatment in Korea?
Travel insurance often covers only sudden dental pain or injury up to a limit, and rarely planned or cosmetic work. Read your policy's dental section before you travel.