Foreign patients versus residents
The same treatment costs entirely differently depending on whether you have health insurance.
Two situations
- Residents — those with alien registration who are enrolled in health insurance (workplace or regional). You receive covered treatment on the same basis as Koreans, paying only the patient share.
- Foreign patients (medical tourism and similar) — short-term visitors seeking treatment, or those without insurance. You pay the full uninsured price set by the hospital.
Why this matters
- Without insurance, the same test or operation costs far more.
- Many people with valid residence status pay these higher prices simply because they never enrolled. Always check whether you are eligible. See nhis-foreigners-overview.
- If you have travel insurance, check in advance what it covers.
What to check
- Whether you are eligible for health insurance — ask 1577-1000.
- If enrolled, whether your coverage is active — arrears can restrict benefits. See nhis-arrears.
- Ask roughly what it will cost before treatment. Uninsured prices vary by hospital.
- Get the receipt and the itemised statement of charges.
Where to go
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service
- The hospital's administration office or international healthcare centre
- 1339 Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
- 1345 · 1577-1366 interpretation
Questions people ask
I fell ill while travelling and have no insurance. You are treated on an uninsured basis. If you have travel insurance, keep the receipt and medical certificate and claim after returning home. See medical-cost-without-insurance.
I'm a student — do I have insurance? Depending on status and length of stay, you are likely eligible. Check with 1577-1000.
The uninsured charges are very high. Ask about costs before treatment and compare hospitals. If it isn't an emergency, don't rush.
I haven't paid my premiums. Accumulated arrears can restrict benefits and cause problems in other procedures. Ask 1577-1000 about instalments.
Take care
Refuse any offer to create documents that misstate the facts "so insurance covers it". Insurance fraud is a crime and affects your residence status.
Related
nhis-foreigners-overview · medical-cost-without-insurance · nhis-arrears · medical-fee-support
Source
Ministry of Health and Welfare www.mohw.go.kr / As of 2026-08