Your NHIS may cover cancer screening: the six tests

Korea's national cancer screening (국가암검진) runs through National Health Insurance (NHIS). It is not for everyone. Each test has its own age, sex and risk rules, and your screening notice (검진표) says which ones are yours this year.

The six tests

• Stomach: age 40 and over, every 2 years. An endoscopy, or an X-ray with contrast if you prefer.
• Colorectal: age 50 and over, every year. A stool test (분변잠혈검사) first, and a colonoscopy only if it is positive.
• Liver: age 40 and over, only the high-risk group (liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C, or chronic liver disease from them). Every 6 months: an ultrasound and a blood test.
• Breast: women aged 40 and over, every 2 years. A mammogram.
• Cervical: women aged 20 and over, every 2 years.
• Lung: age 54 to 74, only heavy smokers (30 pack-years or more and still smoking, or within 15 years of quitting after an earlier lung screening). Every 2 years, a low-dose CT.

What you pay
NHIS pays 90% and you pay 10%. Colorectal and cervical tests are paid in full by NHIS. People in the lower half by premium (last November's bill) and Medical Aid recipients pay nothing. A colonoscopy without the stool test first is at your own full cost, and sedation or polyp removal can add charges.

When
1 January to 31 December. There is no extension.

Foreigners
NHIS gives foreign members the same benefits as Korean members. The rules above go by age, sex and risk group, not nationality.

It depends on your age, sex, medical history and premium level.

Next step: look at your 검진표, or check 검진대상 조회 on the NHIS site, and book at a designated hospital before December.

Sources: NHIS, national cancer screening; NHIS, health promotion in English. Checked 11 October 2026.