If you do not complete your 2026 national health screening by the end of the year, you can still apply to receive it in 2027.people who missed their previous year's screening can use the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) additional application service without paying an extra fee. However, employees covered by workplace health insurance must apply for an additional general health screening through their employer. Eligibility must also be checked separately for each type of screening.
As the end of the year approaches, it can become difficult to book appointments at screening facilities, and some people postpone their screenings because of personal schedules. What matters most is not simply whether December 31 has passed, but whether you can register the following year as someone who missed the previous year's screening.
Can You Receive Your Missed 2026 National Health Screening in 2027?
If you were eligible for South Korea's national health screening in 2026 but did not complete it, you can apply to receive the screening in 2027 through the previous-year non-attendee application process. The NHIS operates a service that checks whether eligible individuals missed their screenings in the previous year and allows them to apply for additional registration.
For example, if you were selected for a general health screening in 2026 but could not visit a hospital before the end of the year, you can submit an additional application in 2027.
There is an important distinction to understand.
Being newly selected as an eligible screening recipient in 2027 and applying for a screening that you missed in 2026 are two different procedures.
General health screenings are generally conducted every two years. Therefore, people who were eligible in 2026 should not assume that they will automatically qualify again in 2027.
The correct approach is to confirm that you have been registered as eligible through the previous-year non-attendee application process before booking an appointment at a screening facility.
Does Applying for a Missed Health Screening Cost Extra?
Missing the previous year's national health screening does not, by itself, result in an additional charge. The NHIS fully covers the designated examination items included in general health screenings. For Medical Aid beneficiaries, the costs of general health screenings are supported by South Korea's national and local governments.
When checking costs, the first step is to determine whether an examination is included in the national health screening program.
| Screening category | Cost and coverage rules |
|---|---|
| Basic general health screening items | No out-of-pocket payment |
| Additional application for a missed previous-year screening | No additional fee simply because the original screening period was missed |
| National cancer screening | Out-of-pocket payment rules must be checked according to cancer type and individual eligibility |
| Optional examinations selected by the individual | Check the cost with the hospital separately from items covered by the national screening program |
For example, if you choose a separate ultrasound examination or additional blood tests when booking a general health screening, you should check whether those examinations are covered by the national screening program.
The fact that applying for a missed previous-year screening is free does not mean that every optional examination is also free.
How to Apply for a Missed 2026 Screening in 2027
The NHIS provides its previous-year non-attendee application service through its website, mobile app, and visual Automated Response System (ARS).
People who missed their 2026 screening should check which application method applies to them in 2027.
Applying Through the NHIS Website
To apply online, follow these menu steps:
1. Visit the National Health Insurance Service website.
2. Complete identity verification and log in.
3. Select Health Moa (건강모아).
4. Go to My Health Management (나의 건강관리).
5. Select National Health Screening Information (국가건강검진정보).
6. Proceed to Additional Application for Previous-Year Non-Attendees (전년도 미수검자 추가신청).
During the application process, you must confirm whether you were eligible for screening in the previous year and which screening items are available for additional registration.
It is advisable to distinguish between screenings for which you are newly eligible in 2027 and missed 2026 screening items that require additional registration.
Applying Through the Health Insurance 25si Mobile App
On a smartphone, you can use the NHIS official mobile application, Health Insurance 25si (건강보험25시).
According to the official instructions, the application menu path is:
Health Moa (건강모아) → My Health (나의건강) → Screening Application (검진신청) → Additional Application for Previous-Year Non-Attendees (전년도 미수검자 추가신청)
You can submit an application after completing identity verification in the app. The exact menu names displayed may change following app updates.
Applying by Phone Through Visual ARS
If using the website or mobile app is inconvenient, you can call the NHIS main customer service number at 1577-1000.
After connecting, select option 9 to receive a text message containing a link to the visual ARS service.
From there, select the previous-year non-attendee application option under the health screening menu and complete identity verification.
Visual ARS is designed to allow users to complete the application without speaking directly to a customer service representative.
However, telephone and communication charges may apply during the connection and application process.
Special Rules for Employees Covered by Workplace Health Insurance
Additional registration for general health screenings must be requested through the employer for employees covered by workplace health insurance. The individual application process used by regional health insurance subscribers or dependents should not automatically be applied to workplace subscribers.
If you are employed, you should first confirm your screening eligibility and then ask the department responsible for health screenings at your company to register you for the missed previous-year screening.
Screening intervals also differ between office workers and non-office workers.
| Eligible group | General health screening frequency |
|---|---|
| Office workers covered by workplace health insurance | Once every two years |
| Non-office workers covered by workplace health insurance | Every year |
| Regional health insurance subscribers and dependents | Generally once every two years, depending on eligibility requirements |
Because 2026 is an even-numbered year, people born in even-numbered years are generally eligible under the standard two-year screening cycle.
However, non-office workers covered by workplace health insurance are eligible for annual screenings. Their eligibility should therefore not be determined solely by their year of birth.
Employees should also confirm whether their employer has registered them as eligible screening recipients.
Do All Types of National Health Screenings Carry Over to 2027?
The existence of the previous-year non-attendee application service does not mean that every type of national health screening can be carried over to the following year under identical conditions.
South Korea's national health screening system includes general health screenings, cancer screenings, infant and child health screenings, and transitional-age health screenings for Medical Aid beneficiaries.
Each screening program has different eligibility ages, screening intervals, and examination periods. It is therefore necessary to check additional application eligibility separately.
General Health Screenings
For general health screenings, eligible individuals who missed the previous year's screening can apply to receive it the following year through the NHIS additional application service.
Common examination items include medical examinations and consultations, body measurements, blood pressure measurements, blood tests, urine tests, and chest X-rays.
Additional examinations determined by sex and age must be checked through the individual's screening eligibility information.
National Cancer Screenings
Eligibility for South Korea's national cancer screening program depends on the type of cancer, the person's age, and the screening interval.
You should not assume that all cancer screening items missed in 2026 can be completed in 2027 simply because additional applications are available for general health screenings.
When applying in 2027, you must separately confirm your cancer screening eligibility and which items can be additionally registered through the NHIS.
Infant and Child Health Screenings
Infant and child health screenings are scheduled according to the child's age in months after birth.
Unlike general adult health screenings, these examinations are conducted at specific developmental stages. If a scheduled screening period is missed, eligibility for an additional application in the following year must be checked individually.
Can You Receive a National Health Screening Outside Your Registered Residential Area?
South Korea's national health screenings can be completed at designated screening facilities nationwide, regardless of the residential address recorded in the country's resident registration system.
If it is difficult to book an appointment near your home, you can also check designated screening facilities near your workplace or in another region.
On the NHIS website, use the following menu path:
Health Moa (건강모아) → Find an Institution (기관 찾기) → Find Hospitals, Clinics, and Screening Facilities (병(의)원 검진기관 찾기)
The screening facility search function is also available under Health Moa in the mobile app.
When choosing a screening facility, check not only the available appointment dates but also whether the facility actually performs the examinations you need.
In particular, if your screening includes cancer screening or additional age-specific examinations, it is advisable to contact the facility before booking to confirm that those tests are available.
What Should You Do Before the End of 2026?people who are currently eligible for national health screenings should first check whether they can complete their examinations before the end of the year.
There is still time remaining before year-end, so there is no need to postpone your screening from the outset on the assumption that you will apply for it in 2027.
Follow these steps:
1. Check your 2026 health screening eligibility through the NHIS.
2. Identify the screening items that apply to you, including general health screenings and cancer screenings.
3. Find an available appointment at a designated screening facility anywhere in South Korea.
4. If completing the screening in 2026 is difficult, check the previous-year non-attendee application process in 2027.
5. If you are covered by workplace health insurance, confirm the additional registration procedure with your company's designated representative.
6. After completing additional registration, book an appointment at a screening facility.
It is important to remember that not having undergone a health screening and having no health problems are entirely different things.
If you are currently experiencing symptoms or need medical attention, it is more appropriate to seek care at a medical facility rather than wait for your scheduled national health screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Missed 2026 Health Screening Automatically Be Extended to 2027?
No. You should not assume that your screening eligibility will be extended automatically. You must complete the previous-year non-attendee application process and confirm that you have been registered as eligible for screening.
Will I Have to Pay Extra if I Missed My National Health Screening?
There is no separate additional fee simply because you missed the previous year's national health screening. However, optional examinations that are not included in the national screening program may incur additional charges, so you should confirm the costs with the screening facility.
Can I Apply in 2027 if I Was Not Eligible for Screening in 2026?
The previous-year non-attendee application service is intended for people who were eligible for screening in the previous year but did not complete it. If you were not eligible in 2026, you should first check whether you qualify for screening in 2027.
How Do Employees Apply for a Missed Screening?
Employees covered by workplace health insurance must request additional registration for general health screenings through their employer. They should contact the person responsible for health screenings at their company to confirm the previous-year non-attendee registration procedure.
Key Takeaways: Check Your Eligibility Before Applying in 2027
Even if you do not complete your 2026 national health screening by the end of the year, the opportunity to receive it does not immediately disappear. You can use the previous-year non-attendee application service in 2027, although the application process may differ depending on your health insurance subscriber category and the type of screening.
Start by checking whether you are eligible for screening this year. If you cannot secure an appointment before year-end, check whether additional registration will be available the following year and prepare accordingly.