Medical Care
1. Korea's Health Care Systems
1. Health care systems
In Korea, medical institutions can be divided into three levels.
Level
Primary care center
Secondary care center
Tertiary care center
Type
Clinics and community
health centers
Hospital and general
hospitals
Superior general
hospitals
Medical
services
provided
Outpatient medical services,
vaccinations, and health care
General medical
examinations and inpatient medical services
In-depth medical examinations, treatment of disorders and diseases, and health care
Medical
institutions
Clinics, community health centers, branch offices of community health centers, health care centers, maternal and child health centers, maternity clinics, health examination centers, etc.
General hospitals
consisting of different
medical departments
University hospitals and general hospitals
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To receive medical treatment at a general hospital providing tertiary care, a patient should submit a referral issued by a primary (clinic) or secondary (hospital) care center. If a patient goes directly to a tertiary care center without a referral from a primary or secondary care center, he/she may pay higher initial medical expenses.
-
However, emergency patients, patients going through childbirth, hemophiliacs, and patients who visit the dentist, rehabilitation medicine centers, or family medicine clinics can receive medical treatment at a tertiary care center without a referral.
2. Receiving medical treatment at a medical institution
■Primary care center
Apply for a medical consultation, presenting your health insurance card and ID at the reception desk, and wait until your name is called.
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When your name is called,
enter the doctor's office and describe your symptoms.
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Listen to the doctor's instructions carefully and
ask questions if you have any.
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After the medical consultation,
pay your bill and receive your prescription.
▼
Submit the prescription to a pharmacy near the hospital
and buy the medication.
■Secondary care center
Receive a referral from a primary care center.
▼
Arrive at the secondary care center before your appointment and submit your health insurance card and the primary care center's referral.
▼
Go to the medical department you made an appointment with
and receive medical treatment.
▼
Receive your prescription and
schedule your next appointment if necessary.
▼
Pay the bill at the counter.
■Tertiary care center
3. Other types of medical institutions and pharmacies
■Community health centers
A community health center is a public medical institution established by the district to promote local residents' health and prevent and manage diseases.
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Service recipients
Local governments select those who require visiting health services from a community health center from the health risk groups and patient groups with diseases among the socially, culturally, and economically vulnerable who have difficulty accessing health promotion services.
e.g., multicultural families, North Korean refugees, the elderly living alone, local children's centers (children living in poverty), youth shelters or unauthorized facilities, those who are deemed to need such services by community health center and social institution departments, etc.
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Types of services
- Health screening (understanding health behaviors and health risks)
- Management of chronic diseases (metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disorders, cerebro-vascular diseases, etc.) and prevention of complications
- Rehabilitation and health management tailored to different life stages (infants/toddlers, pregnant women, adults, seniors, etc.) for people with disabilities residing at home
- Health care services for multicultural families and North Korean refugees
- Health education for the promotion of health
※Visit a Community Health Center with your alien registration card to get a TB test.
■Oriental medicine clinics
Oriental medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, is different from Western medicine. Oriental medicine strengthens your immune system, relieves pain or symptoms, refreshes you, and boosts your metabolism. The following Oriental medicine clinics provide medical services for foreigners.
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Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital
- Address: 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
- Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday, 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Contact: ☎02-958-8114/9988, km.khmc.or.kr/kr/main.do -
Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
- Address: 858, Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Contact: ☎1577-0007, www.jaseng.co.kr
■Pharmacies
You can easily find signs for "drugstores" or "pharmacies" in your neighborhood. You can purchase general medical supplies as well as prescription drugs at a pharmacy. You can purchase general medical supplies, such as digestive medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins, health drinks, and cold medicines, without a prescription. However, you need a prescription to buy prescription drugs, antibiotics, hormone drugs, painkillers, etc. You cannot purchase medicines with a prescription issued by a hospital in other countries. If you are allergic to certain drugs, consult your healthcare professional in advance to avoid the risk of unwanted side effects. You may bring enough prescription drugs for your needs before entering Korea if you are taking any.
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Holiday pharmacies
Most pharmacies do not open on Sundays or during holidays. However, you can purchase medications at a drug store designated as a holiday pharmacy. Visit the website for holiday pharmacies (www.pharm114.or.kr[Korean]) for further information on business schedules, hours, addresses, etc.
4. Payment of medical expenses
In most hospitals, you can pay medical expenses with a credit card at the administration office. Some hospitals have a separate office handling the medical bills. In such case, you can pay medical expenses at an international clinic. Most general hospitals provide an English receipt upon request. Medical expenses vary depending on insurance policies. If you have bought an insurance policy abroad, it may not apply to some hospitals. In some cases, you should pay the medical bills first and then get your money back after submitting an insurance claim.
2. Medical Services for Foreigners
1. International clinics
Hospital
Address
Business hours
Contact information
The Catholic University of Korea Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital
10, 63-ro,
Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
1661-7575
www.cmcsungmo.or.kr/
[Korean, English]
The Catholic
University
of Korea
Seoul St. Mary's
Hospital
222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
-
Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Sat
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Severance Hospital of Yonsei University Health System
50-1, Yonsei-ro,
Seodaemun-gu,
Seoul
Mon - Fri
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Gangnam Severance Hospital of Yonsei University
211, Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Mon - Fri
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
1599-6114
gs.severance.healthcare/gs/index.do
[Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Arabic]
Asan Medical Center
88, Olympic-ro, 43 gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Mon - Fri
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Samsung Medical Center
81, Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
-
Mon - Fri
8:30 am - 5:00 pm -
Sat
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hanyang
University
Seoul Hospital
222-1,
Wangshimni-ro,
Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Mon - Fri
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
02-2290-8114
seoul.hyumc.com
[Korean, English, Chinese, Russian]
Soonchunhyang
University Hospital Seoul
59, Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
-
Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Sat
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
02-709-9000
www.schmc.ac.kr/seoul/index.do
[Korean, English]
Kyung Hee
University
Medical Center
23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
-
Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Sat
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
02-958-8114/9988
med.khmc.or.kr/main.do
[Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian]
Chung-Ang University Hospital
102, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
-
Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 4:30 pm -
Sat
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
1800-1114
ch.cauhs.or.kr
[Korean, Chinese, English,
Russian, Mongolian]
Konkuk University
Medical Center
120-1,
Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Mon - Fri
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
1588-1533
www.kuh.ac.kr/main.do
[Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Mongolian]
2. Specialized hospitals by field
Specialized field
Hospital
Address
Contact information
Joints
Bumin Hospital Seoul
389, Gonghang-daero, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
259, Wangsan-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
Seoul Sungsim
General Hospital
02-966-1616
sshosp.co.kr
[Korean]
Mokdong Himchan Hospital
120, Sinmok-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul
1899-2221
himchanhospital.com
[Korean, Chinese, English, Russian]
Myongji St. Mary's Hospital
156, Dorim-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
1899-1475
www.myongji-sm.co.kr
[Korean, Chinese, English]
Cerebrovascular diseases
Daehang
Hospital
2151, Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
02-6388-8114
www.daehang.com
[Korean, Chinese, English, Russian, Mongolian]
Colorectal surgery
Hansol Hospital
445, Songpa-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul
02-2147-6000
www.hansolh.com
[Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, Russian]
Seoul Songdo Hospital
78, Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
02-2231-0900
www.isongdo.com
[Korean]
Wooridul Hospital
(Gangnam)
445, Hakdong-ro,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Spine
Nanoori Hospital
731, Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Wooridul Hospital
(Gimpo Airport)
70, Haneul-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
02-2660-7000 seoul.wooridul.co.kr
[Korean, English]
Seoul Chuk Hospital
8, Dongsomun-ro 47-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
1599-0033
www.seoulchuk.com
[Korean]
Bestian Seoul Hospital
429, Dogok-to, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
02-3452-7575 www.bestianseoul.com
[Korean, English]
Burns
Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital
12, Beodeunaru-ro 7-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
02-2639-5114 hangang.hallym.or.kr
[Korean, English]
Gangseo MizMedi
Hospital
295, Gangseo-ro,
Gangseo-gu, Seoul
1588-2701
www.mizmedi.com
[Korean, English, Chinese, Russian]
Gynecology
Dr. Yoo Women's
Hospital
194, Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
Injung Hospital
164, Eungam-ro,
Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
Nune Eye Hospital
408, Teheran-ro,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
1661-1175
www.noon.co.kr
[Korean]
Ophthalmology
Siloam Eye Hospital
181, Deungchon-ro,
Gangseo-gu, Seoul
02-2650-0700
siloam.co.kr
[Korean, English]
Kim's Eye Hospital
136, Yeongsin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
1577-2639
kimeye.com
[Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Mongolian]
155, Dobong-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
Surgery
1899-7529
minhospital.co.kr
[Korean]
Min Hospital
245, Yeoksam-ro,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Otorhinolaryngology
Hana ENT Hospital
02-6925-1111
www.hanaent.co.kr
[Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, Russian, Mongolian]
National
Rehabilitation
Center
58, Samgaksan-ro,
Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
02-901-1700
www.nrc.go.kr
[Korean, English]
Rehabilitation
medicine
Myongji Choonhey
Hospital
223, Daerim-ro,
Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
02-3284-7777
www.mjch.co.kr
[Korean]
Seoul Rehabilitation Hospital
30, Galhyeon-ro 11-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
02-6020-3000
seoulrh.com
[Korean, English, Chinese]
Dongseo Oriental/ Medical Center
Strokes (Oriental medicine)
365-14, Seongsan-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
02-337-1110
www.dsoh.co.kr
[Korean, English]
Spine
(Oriental
medicine)
Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
536, Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
1577-0007
www.jaseng.co.kr
[Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Russian, Mongolian, Arabic]
338, Seocho-daero,
Seocho-gu, Seoul
1577-2575
www.mokhuri.com
[Korean]
Mok-Huri Neck & Back Hospital
Source: Seoul Life Guide (Seoul Metropolitan Government),
Seoul Foreigner Portal