Clinic prices for foreigners in Seoul, explained clearly

How clinic prices for foreigners in Seoul work

Many visitors worry they will be charged more as foreigners. In Korea, clinic prices for foreigners in Seoul depend on two things: whether the care is covered by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), and whether you are enrolled in NHIS. Your nationality on its own does not change our fee for the same service.

Every consultation at VEI Clinic is with Dr. HyunSung Park, an internal medicine specialist who consults in English. Where a treatment or test is not covered by insurance, you receive the full price before it is done, and you can decide then.

Clear pricing matters particularly for visitors, who may not know how the Korean system works and may be comparing costs with clinics at home. We would rather spend a few minutes explaining costs before your visit than have you surprised at the end of it.

Insured versus non-insured care

Korean medical care falls into two broad groups. Covered (geubyeo) care includes most consultations and treatment for illness, such as a cough, a urinary tract infection, reflux or high blood pressure, and many medically necessary tests. Patients enrolled in NHIS, including many long-term foreign residents, pay a co-payment. If you are not enrolled, for example as a tourist, you pay the full fee for that care.

Non-covered (bi-geubyeo) care includes most wellness and elective services: IV drips, many vitamin injections, executive checkups, some specialized lab tests, medical weight loss, body contouring and stem cell programs. These are paid in full by everyone. The doctor will tell you which category your visit falls into.

Some visits combine both. For example, a consultation for stomach pain may be covered, while an add-on IV vitamin drip on the same day is not. In that case we explain which parts fall into which category before you agree.

Long-term residents who are not sure whether they are enrolled in NHIS can check with the National Health Insurance Service or bring their registration card, and we can check eligibility at reception.

Quotes before treatment

We do not publish fixed price lists online, because what you need is decided in consultation and prices can change. We are always happy to explain costs directly.

For longer programs, such as medical weight loss or a series of treatments, we explain the cost of the whole course as well as each visit, and what happens if you stop early, so you can plan your budget realistically.

• Ask us for an estimate before your visit on WhatsApp (+82-10-5700-7597), describing what you need
• After the consultation, the doctor explains the recommended tests or treatment
• For non-covered care, you see the total, including add-ons, before anything starts
• If you prefer a simpler or lower-cost option, ask, and the doctor will tell you honestly whether it is suitable

Payment methods

We accept major credit cards and Korean payment methods. If you would like to pay another way, ask us about other options before your visit.

If you are a tourist, bring the card you plan to use and check with your bank that it is enabled for overseas payments, since some cards block foreign transactions by default.

Receipts and English documents for insurance

If you have travel, expat or international health insurance, you usually pay us first and claim afterwards. On request, we provide an itemized receipt and English medical documents, such as a medical note or report describing your diagnosis and treatment.

Check your policy before your visit. Many insurers reimburse medically necessary care but exclude wellness, cosmetic or preventive services. Some require specific forms; bring them and we will help where we can.

Tell us which documents your insurer needs when you request them. Common requests include an itemized receipt showing each service, a medical note with the diagnosis, and confirmation of the treatment date. Requesting documents during your visit is easiest, but you can also ask afterwards if you have left Seoul.

Keep your original receipts and card slips until your claim is settled.

When cost should not delay care

If you have chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, signs of stroke, heavy bleeding or a serious injury, call 119 or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergency care is not provided at VEI Clinic, and hospital emergency departments in Korea treat foreigners regardless of insurance.