▲National Health Insurance Service
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The health insurance premium adjustment for National Health Insurance workplace subscribers will be conducted. 8.82 million people with increased wages are expected to pay an additional average of 160,000 KRW.
The National Health Insurance Service announced on the 23rd that the adjusted insurance premiums reflecting the 2020 wage changes will be billed together with the April premiums for workplace subscribers.
Earlier, on the 16th, the Service finalized the premium adjustment amounts reflecting the 2020 wage changes for workplace subscribers and notified the workplaces. Among the total 15.18 million workplace subscribers, 8.82 million (58.1%) will pay the difference between the calculated premium based on increased wages and the previously paid amount through the year-end adjustment this year. The total difference charged to them amounts to 2.8887 trillion KRW, averaging 163,633 KRW per person.
On the other hand, 3.64 million (24.0%) will receive a premium refund due to decreased wages. The total refund is 739.2 billion KRW, averaging 101,576 KRW per person. 2.72 million (17.9%) have no wage changes and thus no separate adjustment will be made.
Considering the economic situation related to COVID-19, the Service plans to reduce the burden on subscribers by expanding the number of installments for additional payments from the existing 5 times to 10 times for this year’s year-end adjustment. Also, previously, installment payments were only possible if the additional payment amount exceeded the premium due in April, but this year, even if the additional payment is less than the April premium, 10 installments can be paid without a separate application.
Subscribers who wish to make a lump-sum payment or change the number of installments can do so up to 10 installments upon the user's application by the 10th of next month. However, those who pay less than the minimum subscriber burden amount of 9,570 KRW this year are excluded from installment payments.
An official from the National Health Insurance Service explained, "When there is a wage change such as a raise or step increase, the workplace must immediately report the subscriber’s wage change to reduce the adjusted premium," adding, "The year-end adjustment is to pay the amount that should have been paid last year based on actual wages, so it is not an increase in premiums but due to unexpected wages such as bonuses."
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