Returning Home & Managing Medical Records

Medical care may continue after you leave Korea. Before returning home, international patients should make sure they have the medical records, test results, medication information, and follow-up instructions needed for continued care.

This is especially important after surgery, hospitalization, or treatment requiring long-term monitoring.

BEFORE LEAVING KOREA

Ask the medical institution which documents you should take home.

Depending on your treatment, these may include:

• Treatment summary
• Medical certificate
• Diagnosis information
• Laboratory results
• Imaging reports
• Medical images
• Pathology reports
• Surgery or procedure information
• Prescription and medication information
• Discharge summary
• Follow-up recommendations

Not every patient requires every document.

ASK ABOUT ENGLISH RECORDS

If your healthcare professional at home will need the records, ask whether relevant documents can be issued in English.

Availability varies by hospital and document type.

Confirm:

Available Documents → Language → Format → Issuance Time → Applicable Fees

Try to arrange important records before leaving Korea.

MEDICAL IMAGES

If CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, or other imaging was important to your treatment, ask whether relevant images and reports should be provided for continued care.

The hospital can explain the available format and procedure for obtaining them.

MEDICATION

Before departure, make sure you understand:

• Medicine name
• Active ingredient when available
• Dosage
• Frequency
• Duration
• Important precautions
• Whether further prescriptions may be needed

If continued medication is required after returning home, discuss this with the treating medical team.

FOLLOW-UP AT HOME

Your Korean medical team may recommend follow-up with an appropriate healthcare professional in your home country.

Provide the healthcare professional with relevant Korean treatment records so they can understand what examinations and treatment were performed.

CONTACTING THE KOREAN HOSPITAL

Before leaving, keep the appropriate hospital contact information in case questions arise later.

For significant treatment, ask:

Who Should I Contact? → How Can Records Be Requested Later? → Is Remote Follow-Up Available?

Remote follow-up availability varies by institution.

INSURANCE DOCUMENTS

If you plan to submit an insurance claim after returning home, make sure you have the required:

Receipts → Itemized Bills → Medical Documents → Proof of Payment

Your insurer determines the exact documents required.

KEEP YOUR OWN RECORDS

Store important medical records securely even after treatment is complete.

They may be useful for future:

• Medical consultations
• Follow-up examinations
• Insurance claims
• Medication review
• Medical history