Estimating and getting help with surgery costs

Always ask "how much will this come to?" before surgery. You have the right to ask.

What drives the cost

• Covered vs non-covered — the more non-covered, the heavier the bill.
• Length of stay and room grade — upgraded rooms cost extra.
• Materials (implants, special devices) — often non-covered.
• Anaesthesia and tests.
• Caregiving costs. See caregiver.

Steps to take

1. Ask your doctor to explain the procedure and the alternatives.
2. Ask the administration desk for an estimate of charges.
3. Check the list of non-covered items separately. HIRA lets you compare hospitals.
4. Check whether you qualify for the out-of-pocket ceiling or catastrophic medical expense support. See medical-fee-support.
5. If you have private insurance, ask the insurer in advance what documents they need.
6. Sign the consent form only after you understand it.

What you need

• Alien registration card
• Insurance eligibility or a means of payment
• A referral letter, for tertiary hospitals
• Previous test results

Where to go

• 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (out-of-pocket ceiling)
• 1644-2000 HIRA (compare non-covered charges, request a review)
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre (medical cost support)
• The hospital's social work office or administration desk

Questions people ask

I have no insurance. Look into medical cost support schemes first. The hospital social work office, 129 and local foreign-resident support centres are the way in. See medical-fee-support and foreigner-medical-support.

The bill came to more than expected. Get the detailed statement, check covered against non-covered, and if needed ask HIRA to review the charges.

Can I pay in instalments? Some hospitals allow it. Ask the administration desk.

Can I postpone the surgery? The medical judgement comes first. If cost is the reason, ask about support schemes before deciding.

Take care

Don't agree on the spot to "let's do this as well". For non-covered items, confirm the cost and the necessity first. This guide gives no figures because they vary by hospital and over time. Always confirm with the hospital itself.

Related

hospital-bill-understand · hospitalization · medical-fee-support · emergency-medical-fund · caregiver

Source

Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service www.hira.or.kr / As of 2026-08