Medical fees in South Korea

How much have you spent to get medical treatment if you were to get sick while traveling Korea?

First, let’s check the national insurance system in South Korea.

When patients pay for medical services at clinics or hospitals, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) covers 70% of the deductible services, such as the outpatient medical consultation cost. Patients pay the balance (30%). For non-deductible services, such as MRI, costs are variable depending the clinic or hospital. Most essential examinations and treatments are deductible.

In clinics for primary care, about $13 is the cost for one outpatient. NHIS covers 70% of the $13, so patients who receive benefits from the national insurance system spend only about $4. The deductible services are fixed, due to the control of NHIS. Some non-deductible services are somewhat expensive compared to deductible services. Emergency room visits require additional fees, as emergency room management fees (about $40-50.)


In the cases of foreigners, none of the costs are fixed, so it does not matter whether a service is deductible or nondeductible, because it is not a fixed-price system for them. However, most clinics provide medical services at reasonable prices. E.g. $13-20 for an outpatient medical consultation.

Of course, there are some especially expensive medical services for medical tourists. Because they demand high quality medical services, hospitals prepare specialized medical services. One of the medical check-up services provided from a university hospital costs $10,000.

As compared to private clinics, hospitals require a higher cost for deductible services. (Non-deductible services vary in cost. Nevertheless, the medical fees in South Korea are not expensive at all, compared to other OECD countries. I’ll attach the table of comparisons of medical fees.)

As such, don’t worry if you get sick when you are traveling South Korea. Just knock the door of a private clinic.