Before Visiting a Hospital

Preparing a few things before visiting a hospital in Korea can make registration, consultation, payment, and follow-up much easier—especially for international patients.

CHECK THE HOSPITAL FIRST

Before leaving, confirm:

• Opening hours
• Appropriate medical department
• Appointment requirements
• Referral requirements
• International patient services
• Available interpretation or language support

For a major hospital, checking in advance is particularly important.

PREPARE IDENTIFICATION

Depending on your situation, bring:

• Passport
• Residence Card, if applicable
• National Health Insurance information, if applicable
• Travel or private insurance information

Requirements can vary by institution.

PREPARE YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION

If relevant, bring:

• Previous medical records
• Recent test results
• Imaging records
• Current prescriptions
• Medication list
• Allergy information
• Relevant treatment history

For medications, include the active ingredient and dosage whenever possible.

PREPARE FOR COMMUNICATION

If you do not speak Korean, check whether the hospital provides foreign-language assistance.

For important consultations, prepare a short written summary containing:

Main Symptoms · When They Started · Medical History · Allergies · Current Medications

This can make communication easier.

CHECK INSURANCE

Before planned treatment, confirm what your insurance covers.

If you have overseas or travel insurance, check whether:

• The hospital supports direct billing
• Pre-authorization is required
• You must pay first and claim reimbursement later
• Specific documents are required for reimbursement

ARRIVE WITH EXTRA TIME

For a first visit to a large hospital, allow additional time for:

Registration → Document Check → Finding the Department → International Patient Assistance

Major medical centers can be large and unfamiliar to first-time visitors.

BEFORE PLANNED TESTS

Some examinations require preparation such as fasting or temporary medication instructions.

Follow the medical institution's instructions carefully. If you are uncertain, confirm with the hospital before the examination.