Getting Medical Care In Korea
The Korean Medical System
When I first arrived in Korea, I was almost immediately impressed with its medical system. 11 months later, I am really grateful to live in a country with efficient, easily accessible medical care. Here’s a quick guide to your initial medical testing, doctor’s visits, and pharmacies.
Initial Medical Testing
After you arrive in Korea, you’ll need to do initial medical testing to get your Alien Registration Card (ARC). This medical testing is similar to a yearly physical you would get in your home country. You’ll need to go within the first couple of weeks of arriving in Korea, and your school will help set up an appointment for you.
When I went for my medical testing, I was honestly a little shocked at the hospital’s efficiency. I was given a scannable card with my basic information associated with it. Then, I stayed in the waiting room and waited as a screen informed me I could enter each private room to get a different portion of my physical completed. For example, the screen would announce my name, I’d go in and get my eyes tested. Then, the medical personnel would inform me of the room number I needed to visit next, and the process would repeat.
Everything was digitized, so I didn’t have to carry around a bunch of paperwork I didn’t understand. Although everyone I spoke to knew English, I didn’t need to communicate with them extensively because all of my information was on the card the receptionist gave me. The whole process probably took about 30 minutes despite the room being full of other people also getting their medical tests completed.
Of course, depending on the clinic you visit, the circumstances might be a little different, but generally speaking, all of my medical experiences in Korea since the very first one have been efficient and with few communication issues.
Doctor Visits
Universal health care in South Korea is easily one of the biggest perks of living in the country. Once you have your ARC card, you should be able to get any kind of doctor’s appointment you need with little to no costs. When I was sick in December, I was able to walk into a clinic and get a prescription with no problems. Meeting with the doctor and getting the prescription filled took less than an hour and only cost me about 17,000 won in total. I don’t even want to think about how much that same experience would have cost me in the U.S. with or without insurance.
When my boss recommended my coworkers and I all get flu shots ahead of flu season, she was able to quickly point me in the direction of a good clinic that was able to give me the vaccine with very little fuss. In both of these experiences, I was able to speak English with the doctors and nurses.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies in Korea and the U.S. are very similar in my experience. You go in, give them your prescription, and they fill it for you. I’ve never gone in and had to wait more than a few minutes. Over-the-counter items like pain relievers are kept behind glass, so you’ll need to ask. I’ve been able to speak to the pharmacists in English the few times I’ve needed to go in, but when in doubt, Papago (the popular translating app) is your friend.
Overall, the Korean medical system is inexpensive and efficient. Like most things in Korea, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but I hope this quick guide leaves you more confident addressing your medical needs while in Korea!
Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant
Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.
