Korea's healthcare system ranks among the world's best, and costs are very affordable when covered by National Health Insurance. This guide walks foreigners through everything they need to know about using Korean hospitals and medical services.
Korea's healthcare system ranks among the world's best, and costs are very affordable when covered by National Health Insurance. This guide walks foreigners through everything they need to know about using Korean hospitals and medical services.
1. Understanding Korean Healthcare Facilities
Korean medical facilities are classified by size and function.
| Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic (의원) | Primary care, neighborhood level | Minor illness: cold, stomach ache, skin issues |
| Hospital (병원) | 30+ beds, inpatient care | Moderate conditions, minor surgery |
| General Hospital (종합병원) | 100+ beds, multi-specialty | Complex conditions, specialist tests |
| Tertiary Hospital (상급종합병원) | Major university hospitals (Samsung Seoul, Severance) | Serious illness: cancer, cardiac, neurological |
Start at a local clinic:
- Walk-ins usually accepted
- Very low co-pay with health insurance (around ₩1,000–₩5,000)
- Clinic can issue a referral letter to a larger hospital if needed
2. National Health Insurance (NHIS) for Foreigners
Foreigners in Korea are generally required to enroll in National Health Insurance (NHIS) under certain conditions.
Who Must Enroll
| Status | Condition |
|---|---|
| Employee-insured | Any employed foreigner (regardless of visa type) |
| Local subscriber | Foreigners planning to stay 6+ months (mandatory since July 2019) |
| Exemptions | Short-term visitors (B-1, B-2), diplomatic (A-1–A-3), and some others |
2026 Premium Rates
| Category | Premium |
|---|---|
| Employee | ~7.09% of monthly salary (split equally between employee and employer) |
| Local subscriber | Based on income and assets; minimum ~₩62,090/month |
| Foreigner local subscriber | National average applied (~₩146,000/month as of 2024) |
How to enroll:
1. Visit the nearest NHIS branch office
2. Bring: passport, Alien Registration Card (ARC), and proof of address
3. Online: nhis.or.kr (foreign resident service available)
3. How to Visit a Hospital
Step 1: Appointment or walk-in
- Large hospitals: advance appointment recommended (phone or hospital app)
- Local clinics: walk-in usually fine
Step 2: Registration
- Present your Alien Registration Card (ARC) or passport
- NHIS subscribers: ARC automatically links to your insurance
Step 3: Consultation
- Interpreter services available at major hospitals (request in advance)
- Large hospitals have dedicated international patient desks (English, Chinese, Japanese)
Step 4: Prescription and payment
- After your consultation, receive a prescription
- Pay at the cashier, then fill the prescription at a nearby pharmacy
4. Which Department to Visit
| Symptom | Department |
|---|---|
| Cold, fever, cough | Internal medicine (내과) or ENT (이비인후과) |
| Stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea | Internal medicine (소화기내과) |
| Skin rash, irritation | Dermatology (피부과) |
| Tooth pain, gum problems | Dentistry (치과) |
| Eye redness, vision issues | Ophthalmology (안과) |
| Muscle pain, back pain | Orthopedics (정형외과) |
| Headache, dizziness | Neurology (신경과) or internal medicine |
| Women's health, gynecological check-up | OB/GYN (산부인과) |
| Stress, anxiety, mental health | Psychiatry (정신건강의학과) |
5. Medical Costs for Foreigners
Co-payment with NHIS
| Facility | Patient Co-pay |
|---|---|
| Clinic | 30% |
| Hospital | 40% |
| General Hospital | 50–60% |
| Tertiary Hospital | 60% |
Sample Costs (NHIS Applied)
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Clinic visit for cold | ₩5,000–₩15,000 |
| X-ray | ₩5,000–₩15,000 additional |
| Blood test | ₩10,000–₩30,000 |
| Dental cleaning (scaling) | ₩20,000–₩30,000 (once per year covered) |
| Prescription medication (3-day cold medicine) | ₩3,000–₩8,000 |
Without NHIS:
You pay the full amount out of pocket — typically 2–3× higher than the insured rate.
6. Using the Emergency Room
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Emergency number | 119 (ambulance), 1339 (medical advice hotline) |
| ER hours | 24 hours, 365 days |
| Cost | ER base fee + treatment (NHIS applies) |
| Note | Higher co-pay applies if you visit the ER for minor conditions |
When to go to the ER:
- Severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness → call 119 immediately
- High fever (39°C+) with altered consciousness → ER
- Fractures, heavy bleeding → ER
- Mild headache, common cold → Use a night clinic (야간의원) instead
7. Pharmacy Guide
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Usually 9 AM – 6–9 PM (some pharmacies open late or 24-hour) |
| Prescription medication | Bring your prescription from the doctor — pharmacies near hospitals are most convenient |
| OTC medication | Available without prescription (pain relievers, antacids, cold medicine, etc.) |
| Insurance | Prescription drugs covered by NHIS (30% co-pay) |
Useful Korean phrases at the pharmacy:
- "이 처방전으로 약 주세요" — I'd like medication for this prescription
- "두통약 있나요?" — Do you have headache medicine?
- "진통제 주세요" — A pain reliever, please
8. Medical Support Services for Foreigners
| Service | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| 1339 Medical Hotline | 24-hour medical advice and interpretation | Call 1339 |
| Foreign Resident Helpline | General living support including medical | Call 1345 |
| Hospital Medical Interpreter | Dedicated interpreters at major hospitals | Hospital's international patient center |
| International Patient Clinics | Foreigner-dedicated clinics at major hospitals | Each hospital's website |
Examples of hospitals with international patient centers:
- Seoul National University Hospital International Healthcare Center
- Severance Hospital International Health Care Center
- Samsung Seoul Hospital Global Care Center
- Asan Medical Center International Medical Center
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