The 30-Second Decision Guide

Cold, stomachache, skin issues, minor pain?
Go to a local clinic first. It’s usually faster and cheaper. You can just use Naver Maps to find the hospital closest to you.

Severe chest pain, heavy bleeding, serious injury, difficulty breathing?
Go to the ER (Emergency Room) or call 119 immediately.


Need MRI/CT, surgery, complex specialist care?
Start at a clinic, then move to a university/tertiary hospital with a referral.

Small Clinics: Your Best First Stop

In Korea, most everyday medical problems are handled at local clinics (often called “clinics” or “private practices”). You can usually walk in without an appointment, and the visit is designed to be quick and efficient.

Common clinic types include internal medicine, ENT (ear-nose-throat), dermatology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and family medicine.
If you’re unsure, family medicine is a safe starting point.

What it feels like: check-in → short wait → doctor consult → payment → pharmacy next door for medication.
Many neighborhoods have multiple clinics on the same street, so switching to another clinic is normal if your timing or specialty needs change.

Big Hospitals & Referrals

Large hospitals and university hospitals are excellent in Korea, but the system often expects you to begin at a clinic first. For many tertiary hospital outpatient visits, you may be asked for a referral letter so that insurance rules and scheduling are applied correctly.

If you don’t have a referral, some hospitals can still see you, but the process may involve extra steps, longer waits, or higher out-of-pocket cost depending on your situation.

Typical flow: Clinic → Referral letter → University hospital appointment.

When a big hospital makes sense right away: major trauma, urgent complications, or when you’re specifically instructed to go there by medical staff.

Emergencies & After-Hours Care

For emergencies, Korea uses 119 for ambulance and fire response, available 24/7. If you cannot explain your location well, calling still helps because dispatch can work with location information and guidance services.

ER visits are appropriate for severe symptoms, but for mild problems at night, consider checking whether a nearby clinic has extended hours (some do) or go early the next morning if it’s safe.

Prescriptions & Pharmacies

In Korea, prescriptions are usually filled at a separate pharmacy (약국), often right next to the clinic or hospital. After you pay at the clinic, you take your prescription to the pharmacy, then receive your medication with instructions.

Helpful habit: if you need documents for reimbursement, ask for an itemized receipt and a brief medical note or diagnosis document while you are still at the clinic/hospital.

Insurance: NHIS vs Travel/Private

There are two common realities for foreigners in Korea.

1) National Health Insurance (NHIS / NHI)
If you are a long-term resident, you may be enrolled in Korea’s national system. In general, NHIS makes routine visits and prescriptions far more affordable, and it’s the standard pathway used by locals.

2) Travel insurance or private insurance
If you’re visiting short-term, you may pay first and claim later. This is common for tourists and short stays, especially when NHIS is not active.

The most important difference is not “where you can go,” but how much you pay and how paperwork is handled. If you expect reimbursement, receipts and medical documents matter as much as the treatment itself.

What to Bring & How to Pay

For the smoothest visit, bring these basics:

Passport (tourists) or ARC (residents외국인등록증)
If you forget to bring your Alien Registration Card, don’t worry.
* You can download the “Mobile Health Insurance Certificate (모바일건강보험증)” app, link your account, and use it anytime by opening the app and scanning the QR code.

Insurance info (NHIS details or travel/private policy card)
Payment method (card is widely accepted)
Your medication list (a photo is fine)

If you’re going to a big hospital, arrive early and expect a multi-step check-in. If you’re going to a clinic, mornings are typically calmer than evenings.

Claim Tips for Travel/Private Insurance

If you’ll file an insurance claim later, treat paperwork like part of the appointment.

Ask for: itemized receipt + proof of payment + diagnosis or medical note.
Keep photos of documents and store them by date so you don’t lose track.

If your policy requires pre-authorization for larger expenses, contact your insurer as soon as you can after stabilization. The most common claim delays happen when receipts are missing details or the diagnosis document is not attached.

Dr. Beau’s Note

The easiest way to “do Korea healthcare” is to embrace the system’s design: start with a clinic, move to a larger hospital only when necessary, and keep your documents organized. Once you do that, medical care in Korea becomes one of the most convenient parts of travel or daily life here.