Korean clinics are fast and cheap once you know the routine: pick the specialty clinic, walk in with your Alien Registration Card, pay a small share of the bill if you are insured, then take the prescription to a pharmacy next door.
What to bring
Alien Registration Card — clinics look up your insurance status by its number; no separate card is needed.
Cash or a card for the co-payment.
A note of any medicine you already take, in English or Korean.
For a short stay without an ARC: your passport. You will pay the full price.
Step by step
1.Pick the right kind of place
For everyday illness go to a local clinic (의원) of the right specialty: internal medicine (내과), ENT (이비인후과), orthopedics (정형외과), dermatology (피부과), pediatrics (소아과). Large hospitals cost more and may need a referral. In an emergency call 119.
Say it in Korean
이비인후과는 몇 층이에요?ibiinhugwaneun myeot cheungieyoWhat floor is the ENT clinic on?
허리가 계속 아픈데 정형외과로 가야 할지 한방으로 가야 할지 모르겠어요.heoriga gyesok apeunde jeonghyeongoegwaro gaya halji hanbangeuro gaya halji moreugesseoyoMy back keeps hurting — I'm not sure if I should go to orthopedics or to a Korean medicine clinic.
2.Walk in or book, then check in at reception
Most clinics take walk-ins; university hospitals need an appointment. At reception hand over your ARC and say you are a first-time patient. If you did not bring your insurance details, the number on the ARC is enough.
Say it in Korean
여보세요. 내일 진료 예약을 하고 싶어요.yeoboseyo. naeil jillyo yeyageul hago sipeoyoHello. I'd like to make an appointment for tomorrow.
건강보험증을 안 가져왔어요. 어떻게 해요?geonganbohomjeungeul an gajyeowasseoyo. eotteoke haeyoI didn't bring my health insurance card. What should I do?
내일 예약을 취소하고 다음 주로 옮기고 싶어요.naeil yeyageul chwisohago daeum juro omgigo sipeoyo.I would like to cancel the appointment tomorrow and move it to next week.
3.Describe your symptoms and how long you have had them
Doctors move quickly, so lead with the main symptom and the duration — fever since yesterday, stomach pain since last night. A few prepared Korean sentences make the visit far smoother.
Say it in Korean
어제부터 열이 나고 머리가 아파요.eojebuteo yeori nago meoriga apayoI've had a fever and a headache since yesterday.
배가 아파요. 어제 저녁부터요.baega apayo. eoje jeonyeokbuteoyoMy stomach hurts. Since last night.
기침이 많이 나고 목도 아파요.gichimi mani nago mokdo apayoI'm coughing a lot and my throat hurts too.
4.Pay at the counter
With National Health Insurance you pay a share of the bill: about 30% at a clinic, about 40% at a hospital, 50–60% at a general hospital and around 60% in the emergency room. Without insurance you pay the full amount.
Say it in Korean
건강보험에 가입돼 있는데 본인부담금이 얼마나 나올까요?geonganboheome gaibdwae inneunde boninbudamgeumi eolmana naolkkayoI'm enrolled in health insurance — how much will my out-of-pocket cost be?
수면 무호흡증 검사를 받으려고 하는데 보험 처리되는 부분이 어디까지인지 헷갈리네요.sumyeon muhoheupjeung geomsareul badeuryeogo haneunde boheom cheoridoenneun bubuni eodikkajiinji hetgallineyoI'm thinking of getting tested for sleep apnea, but I'm confused about which parts insurance actually covers.
5.Take the prescription to a pharmacy
Doctors do not hand out medicine. Take the prescription (처방전) to a pharmacy (약국) — there is usually one next to the clinic — and use it within the validity period printed on it, normally a few days.
Say it in Korean
처방전을 약국에 가져가면 돼요?cheobangjeoneul yakguge gajyeogamyeon dwaeyoDo I just take the prescription to a pharmacy?
처방받은 약을 복용한 후에 발진이 생겼어요.cheobangbadeun yageul bogyonghan hue baljini saenggyeosseoyoI developed a rash after taking the medicine you prescribed.
처방전 유효기간이 지났는데 다시 받아야 하나요?cheobangjeon yuhyogigani jinanneunde dasi badaya hanayo?My prescription has expired. Do I need to get a new one?
6.Book the follow-up if asked
Ask to see the same doctor next time and whether interpretation is available; larger hospitals in Seoul have international clinics with English-speaking staff.
Say it in Korean
다음 진료 예약을 잡고 싶은데 같은 선생님께 받을 수 있나요?daeum jillyo yeyageul japgo sipeunde gateun seonsaengnimkke badeul su innayoI'd like to schedule my next visit — can I see the same doctor?
외국인이라 의료 절차가 익숙하지 않은데 통역 서비스도 받을 수 있을까요?oegugini-ra uiryo jeolchaga iksukaji ananeunde tongyeok seobiseuto badeul su isseulkkayoI'm a foreigner and unfamiliar with the medical process — would interpretation services be available?
Cost and insurance
Who is insured
Long-term visa holders after 6 months in Korea; employees from day one; D-2 students, F-5, F-6 and E-9 holders from registration
Your share with insurance
About 30% at clinics, higher at hospitals and the ER
Student premium
D-2 students pay a reduced premium (currently 50% off)
Watch out
Health insurance becomes mandatory once you qualify, and unpaid premiums can block a visa extension.
The ER charges more and adds a surcharge for non-emergencies — use a clinic during the day when you can.
Tertiary hospitals may require a referral letter (진료의뢰서) for insurance to apply.
Daily life in Korea runs on small, specific phrases. These 60 hospital expressions cover the situations residents face in practice, each with romanization and an English meaning (A2–C1). Examples include “어제부터 열이 나고 머리가 아파요” and “처방전을 약국에 가져가면 돼요”. These 60 phrases are graded A2 14 · B1 14 · B2 16 · C1 16 on the CEFR scale and run from 13 to 53 characters.
From when should I fast before the gastroscopy tomorrow?
정밀 검사를 권유하셨는데, 비용 대비 효과를 좀 자세히 설명해 주실 수 있을까요?jeongmil geomsareul gwonyuhasyeonneunde, biyong daebi hyogwareul jom jasehi seolmyeonghae jusil su isseulkkayo
I'm thinking of getting tested for sleep apnea, but I'm confused about which parts insurance actually covers.
지난번에 받은 항생제 효과가 미미했던 것 같아요. 다른 계열로 바꿔 보는 게 어떨까요?jinanbeone badeun hangsaengje hyogwaga miminaedeon geot gatayo. dareun gyeyeollo bakkwo boneun ge eotteolkkayo
I've been diagnosed with chronic gastritis, and I'm at a loss as to how to manage my diet.
이번 처방에 새로 추가된 약이 기존에 복용 중인 혈압약과 충돌하지는 않을지 걱정됩니다.ibeon cheobange saero chugadoen yagi gijone bogyong jungin hyeorabyakgwa chungdolhajineun aneulji geokjeongdoemnida
I was injured at work and want to file it as an industrial accident. Which documents does the hospital prepare?
퇴원할 때 수납과 퇴원약 수령을 한 번에 끝낼 수 있는지 알려 주시면 좋겠습니다.toewonhal ttae sunapgwa toewonyak suryeongeul han beone kkeunnael su inneunji allyeo jusimyeon jokesseumnida.
toewonhal ttae sunapgwa toewonyak suryeongeul han beone kkeunnael su inneunji allyeo jusimyeon jokesseumnida.
Please let me know whether I can settle the bill and pick up the discharge medication at once.
최근 진단 결과를 바탕으로 장기적인 치료 계획을 다시 수립해야 할 것 같습니다.choegeun jindan gyeolgwareul batangeuro jangijeogin chiryo gyehoeokeul dasi suriphaeya hal geot gatseumnida
I've been encouraged to join a clinical trial, but I'm not sure how to weigh the risks and benefits.
환자가 의사 결정 능력을 잃은 경우 사전연명의료의향서가 있다면 어떻게 적용되나요?hwanjaga uisa gyeoljeong neungryeogeul ireun gyeongu sajeonyeonmyeonguiroyhuihangseoga itdamyeon eotteoke jeokyongdoenayo
If a patient loses decision-making capacity, how is an advance directive applied?
수술 동의서에 명시된 합병증 항목 중 발생 빈도가 가장 높은 것이 무엇인지 자세히 설명해 주세요.susul donguiseoe myeongsidoen hapbyeongjeung hangmok jung balsaeng bindoga gajang nopeun geosi mueoseinji jasehi seolmyeonghae juseyo
Please explain in detail which complication listed on the surgical consent form has the highest incidence.
처방된 약과 평소 복용하는 보충제가 상호작용을 일으킬 가능성을 검토해 주실 수 있나요?cheobangdoen yakgwa pyeongso bogyonghaneun bochungjega sangohojakyongeul ireukil ganeungseongeul geomtohae jusil su innayo
Could you review the possibility of interactions between my prescribed medication and the supplements I usually take?
환자가 외국인이고 한국어가 능숙하지 않을 때 의료 통역 서비스의 법적 보장 수준이 궁금합니다.hwanjaga oeguginigo hangugeoga neungsukhaji aneul ttae uiryo tongyeok seobiseuui beopjeok bojang sujuni gunggeumhamnida
I'd like to review together the indicators that can objectively evaluate the effects of rehabilitation.
치료 결과가 예상과 다를 경우 의료진과 어떤 방식으로 의사소통하는 것이 효과적일까요?chiryo gyeolgwaga yesanggwa dareul gyeongu uiryojingwa eotteon bangsigeuro uisasotonghaneun geosi hyogwajeogilkkayo
I would like to know which authorization documents a family member needs to obtain a copy of my medical records on my behalf.
보험사에서 진료비 세부내역서를 요구했는데 어디에서 발급받을 수 있는지 알려 주시겠어요?boheomsaeseo jillyobi sebunaeyeokseoreul yoguhaenneunde eodieseo balgeupbadeul su inneunji allyeo jusigesseoyo?
boheomsaeseo jillyobi sebunaeyeokseoreul yoguhaenneunde eodieseo balgeupbadeul su inneunji allyeo jusigesseoyo?
The insurer asked for an itemized medical bill. Could you tell me where I can have it issued?
건강보험료를 체납한 상태에서 진료를 받으면 급여 제한이 어떻게 적용되는지 궁금합니다.geongangboheomnyoreul chenaphan sangtaeeseo jillyoreul badeumyeon geubyeo jehani eotteoke jeogyongdoeneunji gunggeumhamnida.
I am curious how benefit restrictions apply if I receive treatment while behind on health insurance payments.
임신 확인서를 받으면 국민행복카드로 진료비를 어느 범위까지 지원받을 수 있나요?imsin hwaginseoreul badeumyeon gungmin-haengbokkadeuro jillyobireul eoneu beomwikkaji jiwonbadeul su innayo?
imsin hwaginseoreul badeumyeon gungmin-haengbokkadeuro jillyobireul eoneu beomwikkaji jiwonbadeul su innayo?
Once I get a pregnancy confirmation, how much of the medical cost can the National Happiness Card cover?
국가예방접종 지원 대상에 외국인 자녀도 포함되는지, 증빙 서류는 무엇인지 알고 싶습니다.gukga-yebangjeopjong jiwon daesange oegugin janyeodo pohamdoeneunji, jeungbing seoryuneun mueosinji algo sipseumnida.
I would like to know whether foreign children are covered by the national immunization program and what proof is required.
건강검진에서 재검 판정이 나왔는데 추가 검사 항목을 어떻게 정하는 게 좋을지 상의하고 싶습니다.geongang-geomjineseo jaegeom panjeongi nawanneunde chuga geomsa hangmogeul eotteoke jeonghaneun ge joeulji sanguihago sipseumnida.
I would like to compare recovery time and risk between general anesthesia and sedation before deciding.
치료 과정에 문제가 있었다고 느껴질 때 의료분쟁 조정을 신청하는 절차가 궁금합니다.chiryo gwajeonge munjega isseotdago neukkyeojil ttae uiryo-bunjaeng jojeongeul sincheonghaneun jeolchaga gunggeumhamnida.
