LIMDA JOURNAL
Living in Busan with an ARC? Your Korean Health Insurance Covers Us Too
If you live in Busan with an Alien Registration Card and NHIS enrollment, you can receive Korean medicine care — acupuncture included — with the exact same insurance benefits Koreans get. Here is how it works at LIMDA.
Many expats in Busan assume that traditional Korean medicine is an out-of-pocket luxury, or that clinics are "for Koreans only." Neither is true — and if you are a registered resident, you may be surprised how affordable a visit is.
Same insurance, same rates as Korean nationals
If you hold an Alien Registration Card (ARC) and are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) — which is mandatory for most residents staying six months or longer — your insurance works at Korean medicine clinics exactly as it does for Korean citizens. There is no separate "foreigner rate" at LIMDA: fees are identical for Korean and international patients, and NHIS discounts apply the same way.
What NHIS typically covers at a Korean medicine clinic
Acupuncture for conditions such as back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and joint problems is generally covered, along with cupping and moxibustion in many cases — meaning your per-visit cost can be a fraction of the uninsured price. Personalized herbal prescriptions (bo-yak) and wellness programs are generally non-covered items, and those fees are posted transparently and explained before treatment.
What to bring on your first visit
Your ARC (that's all we need to verify your insurance), a list of any medications you take, and your questions — the doctors consult directly in English, so you can ask them yourself rather than through a translation app.
Q. I'm on a working holiday / short-term visa without NHIS. Can I still visit? A. Yes — all fees are posted transparently, and we can issue English receipts for private or travel insurance claims.
Q. Does my dependent (spouse, child) get the same coverage? A. Yes, family members registered as NHIS dependents receive the same benefits. Q. Do I need a referral? A. No referral is needed. LIMDA is fully reservation-based — book via WhatsApp or email. Q. Is the clinic registered for international patients? A. Yes, LIMDA is a Busan-registered clinic for international patients, located in Marine City next to Park Hyatt Busan.
Written by Dr. Cheongrim Kim, KMD — Head Doctor, Kyunghee LIMDA Korean Medicine Clinic, Busan (Doctor of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University).
This article is general health information written by a licensed medical professional and does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes. Do not adjust any prescribed medication without consulting your prescribing physician. Published 2026-07-30.
Kyunghee LIMDA Korean Medicine Clinic — 1F, I-Park T1, 38 Marine City 2-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan · +82-10-7925-6248 · Hours: Weekdays 10:00-19:00, Saturday 9:00-17:00, closed on public holidays
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