"Odd-Numbered Year Births Urged to Get National Health Checkups by Year-End"

Annual Dental Scaling Benefit Covered by National Health Insurance

The National Health Insurance Service announced on September 10 that people should not forget to receive their national health checkups by the end of the year and also take advantage of the dental scaling benefit.

This year's national health checkup is available to those aged 20 and older who were born in an odd-numbered year. However, heads of local households and workplace subscribers (non-office workers annually, office workers every two years) are eligible for the checkup regardless of age.

For those aged 40 and older, the national health insurance covers the cost of six major cancer screenings (stomach, colorectal, liver, breast, cervical, and lung cancer) according to age and gender, including stomach cancer (endoscopy or radiographic exam) every two years and colorectal cancer (fecal occult blood test and, if necessary, endoscopy) every year for those aged 50 and older. (A 10% copayment applies to some cancer screenings.) Eligible individuals are encouraged to undergo these examinations.

Subscribers and dependents aged 19 and older can also receive dental scaling once a year with national health insurance coverage (30% copayment at clinics). If this benefit is not used within this year, it will expire in 2025.

Experts recommend receiving dental scaling at least once a year to prevent gum inflammation and periodontal disease, and advise visiting a dental clinic before the end of the year to receive the treatment.

If you are unsure about your eligibility for the health checkup or dental scaling coverage, you can check on the National Health Insurance Service website or through the "The Health Insurance" mobile app. An official from the National Health Insurance Service emphasized, "National health checkups and dental scaling are the most reliable safety nets for protecting your own health and your family's health," and added, "If you do not receive them in time, you may face higher medical expenses, and since there may be a surge in checkup appointments at the end of the year, it is better to get them in advance."