South Korean local medical treatment model + complete guide for tourists seeking medical treatment in South Korea

1. Low-level rules for overall medical care in South Korea (common to locals)

1. Strict three-level grading diagnosis and treatment system (determine how much money will be spent)

1) First-level institutions:의원（社区小诊所）

Street internal medicine, dermatology, otolaryngology, dentistry, Korean medicine (similar to traditional Chinese medicine) clinics, colds, fever, gastroenteritis, allergies, and minor skin diseases are all solved here. There is no need to make an appointment, register on the spot, wait for 15-30 minutes, self-payment for medical insurance is only 30%. Clinic for complex conditionsreferral formOnly then can you go to a higher-level hospital for medical treatment at a low price.

2) Secondary institutions:병원/종합병원（普通综合医院）

You can do CT, X-ray, minor surgery, hospitalization, fracture, chronic disease review, moderate disease, choose here, pay 40%-50% without referral. Most locals are referred by clinics.

3) Three-level institutions:상급종합병원（大学大型三甲医院）

Seoul's top five hospitals (Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Asan Hospital, Yonsei Severance, and Notre Dame Hospital) only accept severe illnesses, difficult surgeries, cancer, and complex serious illnesses.Without referral orders from lower-level clinics, medical insurance reimbursement has shrunk significantly, reaching more than 60% at your own expense., locals will never rush to major hospitals directly for minor illnesses, and appointments are often scheduled for several weeks.

2. Compulsory separation of medicines, hospitals do not sell medicines

This is the core feature: doctors only prescribe prescriptions,You can't get medicine from the hospital。After seeing a doctor, pay for the prescription, and go to an independent pharmacy () around the hospital to buy medicine. The pharmacist will explain the usage; prescription drugs must be purchased on vouchers. For over-the-counter drugs, you can buy antipyretics, gastrointestinal medicines, and plaster directly from the pharmacy/ 24-hour convenience store.

3. Local Health Insurance Rules (National Health Insurance NHIS)

1. In South Korea, all citizens are forced to participate in the insurance, office worker companies withhold premiums, and freelancers pay them themselves;
2. Medical treatment is reimbursed directly in real time by swiping the card. Clinics only pay 30%, and large hospitals pay the rest according to level;
3. Medical beauty, plastic surgery, dental high-end projects, and some Korean medical physiotherapy are not covered by reimbursement and are fully self-funded.

2. Complete standard process for medical treatment for Koreans

1. If you are mildly ill and feel uncomfortable, you can register directly at a specialist clinic near your home, fill out the symptom list and wait for the call;
2. The doctor consults for 5-10 minutes, and writes a diagnosis + prescription after a simple examination;
3. Settlement at the charging window, medical insurance is automatically deducted, and paper prescriptions are obtained;
4. Walking to the pharmacy next door to pick up the medicine with a prescription, the pharmacist warned me of contraindications;
5. The clinic judged that the condition was severe and prescribedreferral letter, make an appointment at a secondary/tertiary hospital for further examination and treatment;
6. For emergencies such as high fever, traumatic bleeding, and myocardial infarction, call directly119Call an ambulance and send him to the emergency room.

3. How to deal with short-term tourists falling ill in South Korea (key points)

(1) Mild symptoms: cold, diarrhea, allergies, bumps

1. find nearbyXX (Internal Medicine Clinic), register directly at the door and presentpassportRegistration;
2. Language: Translate symptoms with Papago, or call Korea Travel Hotline1330Three-party telephone translation;
3. Full self-payment (no Korean medical insurance), a single common cold is about 20,000 - 40,000 won;
4. must ask forEnglish diagnosis certificate, charge details, prescription receipt, travel accident insurance reimbursement for returning home;
5. Don't want to go to the clinic: CU/GS25 convenience store can buy over-the-counter medicines for fever, diarrhea, and pain relief directly for emergency emergencies.

(2) Moderate conditions: sprains, skin infections, and need to take pictures

Choose a medium-sized general hospital with an international diagnosis and treatment center, and give priority to a branch with a foreigner diagnosis and treatment department and English services. The medical experience will be better. Remember to keep all bills for insurance claims.

(3) Emergency serious injury: fracture, syncope, acute abdominal pain, traumatic bleeding

1. immediately called119(South Korea's unified emergency telephone number), say directlyEnglish please, the operator will connect with the interpreter;
2. Ambulances are free and sent to the emergency room of a large 3A hospital nearby;
3. All emergency departments are treated first and then settled. The cost is high, so you must keep a full set of medical documents.

4. Key reminders for tourists to avoid pits

1. Don't go directly to Seoul's top five university hospitals for minor illnesses. It is extremely expensive at your own expense without a referral sheet and the waiting time is too long;
2. Drugstores are basically closed from 8 to 9 p.m., so you can buy medicines late at night.All night and night designated pharmacy, you can ask 119 for the address;
3. There is no problem with a small amount of standing medicines for personal use when entering the country. A large amount of cough medicines and sedative drugs containing ephedrine are controlled and carried carefully;
4. It is forbidden to take medicine and drink water in elevators and subway cars, and only unopened bottled water is allowed to be brought in;
5. Be sure to buy before departureOverseas travel medical insuranceIt is very convenient for South Korea to pay for medical treatment in advance and reimburse on the basis of documents when returning home.

5. Practical emergency numbers

1. First Aid/Ambulance: 119
2. Foreign medical interpretation, travel assistance: 1330
3. Korean National Insurance Consulting: 1577-1000