How to see a doctor in Korea as a foreigner: a plain-English guide

How to see a doctor in Korea as a foreigner: the basics

If you are wondering how to see a doctor in Korea as a foreigner, the short answer is that it is usually quick and does not require a family doctor or referral for a first visit. Korea's system is built around many small, doctor-run clinics in every neighborhood, backed by larger hospitals for specialist and emergency care.

Most people simply walk into a clinic, register at the front desk, wait a short time and see the doctor. Booking ahead by phone or message is increasingly common, especially at clinics that see foreign patients. The main hurdles for foreigners are language and knowing which kind of facility to choose.

Opening hours vary. Many clinics close for an hour at lunch, open on Saturday mornings or afternoons and close on Sundays and public holidays. Checking a clinic's hours on a Korean map app, or messaging ahead, avoids a wasted trip.

Clinic (의원) vs hospital (병원): which to choose

Korean medical facilities are grouped by size. Knowing the difference saves time and money.

• 의원 (clinic): a local doctor's office, often run by one specialist. Suited to colds, infections, stomach problems, chronic conditions, checkups and vaccinations
• 병원 (hospital): a mid-sized facility with several departments and inpatient beds
• 종합병원 and university hospitals: large general and teaching hospitals for complex conditions, surgery and major emergencies. For outpatient specialist visits at the largest hospitals, a referral letter from a clinic is generally needed to receive insurance coverage at the usual rate
• Emergency rooms (응급실): found at hospitals, open 24 hours

Prescriptions and pharmacies

Korea separates prescribing from dispensing. The clinic doctor writes a prescription, and you take it to a pharmacy (약국), usually located in the same building or next door. You pay the pharmacy separately. Pharmacists can often explain basic instructions, but it helps if your doctor has already told you what each medicine is for.

Many medicines that are sold over the counter elsewhere require a prescription in Korea, and some foreign brand names are different here. Bring the packaging or the generic name of any medicine you take regularly.

Pharmacies can also sell many basic over-the-counter remedies, such as simple pain relievers and cold medicines, without a prescription. If you are unsure whether you need to see a doctor at all, a pharmacist is a reasonable first person to ask.

Costs, insurance and your ARC

Foreigners registered in Korea receive an Alien Registration Card (ARC), now officially called a residence card. If you are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), show your ARC at registration and covered services are billed at the insured rate, with you paying a share. Some services, such as many IV treatments, weight-loss programs and cosmetic procedures, are non-covered and paid in full.

If you are not insured, for example as a tourist or a new arrival, you can still be seen; you simply pay the full fee. Clinic visits for common illnesses are generally modest in cost by international standards, while hospital tests and emergency care can cost much more. Travelers should keep receipts and medical documents for their travel insurance.

Emergencies and useful numbers

Call 119 for an ambulance, fire or medical emergency. 119 can connect you with interpretation if you do not speak Korean. Go to an emergency room or call 119 for chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms, seizures, severe bleeding, serious injuries, severe allergic reactions or sudden severe abdominal pain or headache.

1339 is the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency call center, used for questions about infectious diseases, such as symptoms after overseas travel. It is not an ambulance line. For general help in English, the Korea Travel Hotline (1330) can assist visitors with information and interpretation.

Where VEI Clinic fits in

VEI Clinic (베이의원) is a 의원 in Apgujeong, Gangnam, one minute from Apgujeong Station Exit 5. Dr. HyunSung Park, a board-certified internal medicine specialist, sees patients 1:1 in English for primary care, internal medicine, checkups, lab tests, vaccinations, IV therapy and medical weight loss. We do not offer emergency care, surgery or endoscopy, but we can refer you to a hospital and explain what to expect there.