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Reduced National Health Insurance Co-payment for Infants and Toddlers (영유아 건강보험 본인부담 경감, Inpatient and Outpatient): How to Apply, Amount & Eligibility (2026)

Co-payment is exempt for newborn (within 28 days of birth) hospitalization, 0% for inpatient care of infants and toddlers under 2 (from Jan. 1, 2024), and 5% for inpatient care ages 2~15....

This page is a translation of the Korean original and is for reference only. The official Korean guidance is the authoritative source for amounts and conditions, so be sure to confirm on the official website before applying. View Korean original (한국어)

Benefit: Co-payment is exempt for newborn (within 28 days of birth) hospitalization, 0% for inpatient care of infants and toddlers under 2 (from Jan. 1, 2024), and 5% for inpatient care ages 2~15. Outpatient: the co-payment for children under age 6 is lower than for general patients (about 70% of the general level, per Ministry of Health and Welfare guidance). For early babies (premature infants), a 5% outpatient co-payment applies, and the reduction period is extended to 5 years 2 months~5 years 4 months depending on gestational age (in effect Jan. 1, 2026).
Who is eligible: Infants and toddlers who are national health insurance subscribers or dependents (by age).
When to apply: Applied automatically at hospitals and pharmacies without a separate application (age criteria such as under age 6).
How to apply: No separate application needed (applied automatically with the health insurance card or eligibility check). For early baby reductions, registration with a birth certificate or medical certificate may be needed, so check with the hospital or the National Health Insurance Service.
Important notes: Early baby outpatient reduction: gestational age under 29 weeks 5 years 4 months, 29 to under 33 weeks 5 years 3 months, 33 to under 37 weeks 5 years 2 months (in effect Jan. 1, 2026, Ministry of Health and Welfare press release).
Note: Detailed co-payment rates such as for outpatient care under age 1 (by clinic, hospital, and pharmacy) could not be verified in an official table - re-check the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (hira.or.kr) co-payment rate table. Non-covered items and meals are separate.

Go to the official guide →

Based on official sources as of 2026년 10월. Amounts and requirements may change, so please confirm with the official guide before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Reduced National Health Insurance Co-payment for Infants and Toddlers (영유아 건강보험 본인부담 경감, Inpatient and Outpatient): who can receive it?

Infants and toddlers who are national health insurance subscribers or dependents (by age).

Reduced National Health Insurance Co-payment for Infants and Toddlers (영유아 건강보험 본인부담 경감, Inpatient and Outpatient): how do I apply?

No separate application needed (applied automatically with the health insurance card or eligibility check). For early baby reductions, registration with a birth certificate or medical certificate may be needed, so check with the hospital or the National Health Insurance Service.

Reduced National Health Insurance Co-payment for Infants and Toddlers (영유아 건강보험 본인부담 경감, Inpatient and Outpatient): how much will I receive?

Co-payment is exempt for newborn (within 28 days of birth) hospitalization, 0% for inpatient care of infants and toddlers under 2 (from Jan. 1, 2024), and 5% for inpatient care ages 2~15. Outpatient: the co-payment for children under age 6 is lower than for general patients (about 70% of the general level, per Ministry of Health and Welfare guidance). For early babies (premature infants), a 5% outpatient co-payment applies, and the reduction period is extended to 5 years 2 months~5 years 4 months depending on gestational age (in effect Jan. 1, 2026).

Reduced National Health Insurance Co-payment for Infants and Toddlers (영유아 건강보험 본인부담 경감, Inpatient and Outpatient): when can I apply?

Applied automatically at hospitals and pharmacies without a separate application (age criteria such as under age 6).