South Korean Hospitals for Foreigners
South Korea is renowned for its robust public health system and excellent hospitals and clinics. Hospitals in South Korea are among the best in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and South Koreans have a life expectancy of 82.7 years, higher than the OECD average of 80.8 years.
If you are admitted to a South Korean hospital, you can expect state-of-the-art care, including the best in laboratory work, imaging, surgery, non-surgical treatment, medications, and emergency care. With universal healthcare and affordable prices, South Korea’s top hospitals are a wise choice for foreigners and expats.
Does South Korea Have Good Hospitals?
The 3,200 hospitals in the Republic of Korea are a key factor in the country’s ranking of 18th overall in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation and its position as the 3rd best healthcare system in the world through 2024.
South Korea’s single-payer universal healthcare system keeps costs lower, and visitors to the country receive the same care as citizens.
Hospitals in the Republic of Korea are among the world’s best medical centers. The highest-quality medical centers in South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, feature ultramodern facilities and equipment, as well as well-educated medical teams.
What Are the Most Prestigious Hospitals in South Korea?
If you’re planning to move to South Korea for work or to retire, you’ll want to know the best hospital in South Korea for you. Many of the best hospitals in the Republic of Korea are affiliated with universities and medical schools, which provides them with higher levels of expertise, technology, and healthcare innovation.
As in many countries, the best hospitals in South Korea are located in or near metropolitan areas. They include these Seoul hospitals:
Asan Medical Center
88, Olympic-RO 43-GIL,
Songpa-Gu
Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
82-2-3010-5001
int@amc.seoul.kr
Seoul National University Hospital
101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu,
Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
82-2-2072-0505
international@snuh.org
Samsung Medical Center
06351 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-Gu
Seoul, Republic of Korea
82-2-3410-0200
ihs.smc@samsung.com
Severance Hospital – Yonsei University
50-1, Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu,
Seoul 0372, Republic of Korea
Seoul National University – Bundang Hospital
82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,
Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
82-31-787-2034
ihsi@snubh.org
What is the Most Advanced Hospital in South Korea?
While South Korean medical centers are among the world’s best, Asan Medical Center was ranked as the country’s most advanced because of the level of care provided. Newsweek gave the hospital a score of 97.76%.
Are There International Hospitals in South Korea?
Since Seoul welcomes travelers from around the world, its hospitals often care for foreign visitors. This is true for the medical centers in South Korea’s metropolitan areas. Travelers count international hospitals as among the best in the world, so South Korea’s hospitals qualify.
Do Doctors in South Korea Speak English?
Among the best surgical hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, are international hospitals where medical staff speak English or have translators available.
Approximately 90 percent of South Korea’s best hospitals are located in metropolitan areas, providing foreign residents with a greater selection of hospitals featuring English-speaking care teams.
Can Foreigners Go to the Hospital in South Korea?
South Korea has a public health system that provides care to citizens as well as expats and visitors to the country. The Republic of Korea’s universal healthcare system is funded through government subsidies, external contributions, and taxes on tobacco products.
This makes care in South Korean hospitals more affordable than in some countries.
Foreigners and expats are required to sign up with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) program after living in the Republic of Korea for six months. If you register with the NHIS program, you can choose your own health care providers, clinics, and hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, and throughout the country.
Do Foreigners Get Free Health Care in South Korea?
South Korea has universal healthcare, but that doesn’t mean a stay in a hospital is free. The cost of care in a South Korean hospital depends on what you’re being treated for and the length of stay.
However, out-of-pocket costs for medical care in South Korea are typically significantly lower than in the United States and other countries, such as Germany, Austria, Canada, and Ireland.
Everyone who has signed up for NHIS health care in Korea contributes to the plan. On average, approximately 5% of employees’ income is deducted for NHIS, a shared cost between workers and employers.
Self-employed residents are taxed for NHI based on their income and the number of family members, while low-income families are exempt from NHI payments.
South Koreans’ out-of-pocket payments can be higher than those in other OECD countries, but the cost of medical care is affordable. Out-of-pocket expenses for inpatient hospital care range between 10% and 20% of the bill. Outpatient clinical care costs can be about 40% to 50% of the cost, plus a consultation fee.
Foreign residents use international health insurance in the Republic of Korea to lower out-of-pocket costs for care in South Korea’s best hospitals. Some policies cover the cost of traveling back to your home country for care.
Is Healthcare Free in South Korea for Tourists?
Accidents and illnesses can happen on vacations. Medical care is available to tourists at the best hospitals in South Korea; however, even a clinic visit may incur a bill. International health insurance can cover these unexpected costs.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Expats In South Korea
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Recommended Hospitals for Expats in South Korea
The medical centers vying for the title of best hospital in Seoul, South Korea, and other South Korean cities include:
Hospitals In Seoul
The Catholic University of Korea – Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital
222 Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu
Seoul, Republic of Korea
02-2258-5745 (82-2-2258-5745
ihcc@catholic.ac.kr
Korea University – Anam Hospital
73 Goryeo Dae-ro, Seongbuk-gu
Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
82-2-920-5677
kumcihc@kumc.or.kr
Kyung Hee University Medical Center
23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu,
Seoul, Republic of Korea, 02447
82-2-958-9644
Gangnam Severance Hospital – Yonsei University
211, Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu,
Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea
82-2-2019-3600 / 3690
gnseverance2@yuhs.ac
Chung-Ang University Hospital
06973, 102, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu,
Seoul, Republic of Korea
82-2-6299-3025
cauic@cauhs.or.kr
Konkuk University Medical Center
120-1 Neungdong-ro (Hwayang-dong), Gwangjin-gu,
Seoul 05030, Republic of Korea
02-2030-8361
Kangbuk Samsung Hospital
29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, Republic of Korea
82 (0)2 2001 5100
kbsmc.ic@samsung.com
Hospitals In Suwon City
Ajou University Hospital
206, World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do,
Suwon City, 16499, Republic of Korea
82-31-219-1552
gsis@ajou.ac.kr
Hospitals In Busan
Pusan National University Hospital
4~61F, 2, 3rd Street, Yuen Peace Road, Nam-gu,
Busan (Daejeon), Republic of Korea
051-626-4660
namgumhc@hanmail.net
Inje University – Hyundae Paik Hospital
875, Haeun-Daero, Haeundae-gu
Busan, 48108, Republic of Korea
82-51-797-0566
Dong-A University Hospital
26 Daesingongwon-Ro Seo-Gu
Busan,49201, Republic of Korea
82-51-240-2306
sjunlee@damc.or.kr
Hospitals In the Incheon Metro Area
Hallym Hospital
22 Gwanpyeong-ro 170beon-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si,
Gyeonggi-do
82-31-380-4026
leejh0105@hallym.or.kr
Hospitals In Daejeon
Konyang University Hospital
Daejeon Metropolitan City,
Seo Gwangju-dong-ro 158
1577-3330
Daejeon Eulji Medical Center – Eulji University
35233, 95, Dunsanseo-Ro, Seo-Gu,
Daejeon, Republic of Korea
82-1899-0001
Chungnam National University Hospital
99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu,
Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
82-42-821-5114
Hospitals In Gwangju
Chonnam National University Hospital
42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu,
Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
82-62-220-6016
imccnuh@gmail.com
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Annie Oeth is an experienced media and communications professional with a BA in journalism and an MS in Management. She holds life and health licensing, specializes in healthcare communications and public relations, and is pursuing APR accreditation.
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