Insurance & Payment for International Patients

Insurance and payment procedures can differ significantly for international patients in Korea. Before planned treatment, confirm both the hospital's payment policy and your insurer's coverage requirements.

KOREAN NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE

Some foreign residents in Korea are enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system.

If you are covered, the amount you pay depends on applicable insurance rules and whether the particular medical service is covered.

Confirm your current eligibility and benefits through the National Health Insurance Service when necessary.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Visitors to Korea may have travel insurance that includes medical coverage.

Policies can differ in:

• Covered medical services
• Coverage limits
• Deductibles
• Emergency treatment
• Hospitalization
• Pre-authorization requirements
• Exclusions
• Reimbursement procedures

Check your individual policy rather than assuming a particular treatment is covered.

INTERNATIONAL & PRIVATE INSURANCE

Some patients have international private medical insurance.

Before treatment, ask both the insurer and hospital:

Is this hospital covered?

Is pre-authorization required?

Is direct billing available?

What documents will I need?

DIRECT BILLING

Some hospitals may have arrangements with certain international insurers, but direct billing is not universally available.

If direct billing is unavailable, the process may be:

Receive Treatment → Pay Hospital → Collect Documents → Submit Insurance Claim

Confirm the procedure before planned treatment.

ESTIMATED MEDICAL COSTS

For significant planned treatment, ask the hospital whether an estimated cost can be provided.

The final cost may change depending on:

• Additional examinations
• Treatment decisions
• Procedures
• Medication
• Length of hospitalization
• Complications or additional medical needs

An estimate should not be treated as a guaranteed final price.

DOCUMENTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT

Your insurer may request documents such as:

• Receipts
• Itemized medical bills
• Medical certificates
• Diagnosis information
• Prescription records
• Treatment summaries

Requirements differ between insurers.

Ask what you need before leaving Korea whenever possible.

PAYMENT BEFORE DISCHARGE

For hospitalization or major treatment, confirm the hospital's billing and discharge procedures in advance.

International patient departments may provide administrative guidance depending on the institution.