22 Jul
When I first arrived in Korea, one of the things I was nervous about was needing to see a doctor. I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to find a clinic where I could communicate clearly, understand the costs, and feel comfortable with the type of care provided. After some trial-and-error, here’s what I’ve learned that can help you navigate the Korean healthcare system more comfortably and find foreigner-friendly doctors that best-suit your needs!
Language Barriers in Medical Settings
What I found challenging:
Walking into a clinic where the receptionist was asking me to fill out different forms, and the doctor only spoke Korean was intimidating at first. Even when the doctor spoke some English, I felt like the language barrier was too big, and that the explanations were rushed or confusing.
My solution:
I discovered there are dedicated International Health Care Centers at major hospitals like Severance, Asan, and SNUH in Seoul, all offering English-speaking staff and translation services. I usually go to Severance hospital in Seodaemun for annual checkups or surgeries. They even offer dental work at this hospital, and I had my wisdom teeth removed there. I also found that in Seoul and other big cities, a lot of the doctors are foreign-educated so they typically have more than a basic grasp of English. This means that you can have a basic conversation with most doctors in hospitals.
For smaller clinics, I always use my go-to translator app Papago, and I’ve requested a bilingual friend to come along from time to time. I learned that it’s important to ask for help when you need it, and have even had coworkers accompany me to some of my appointments.
Finding a Doctor Who Gets It
What I struggled with:
Not all doctors are equal. I found that the bedside manner of the doctors was very different from what I had experienced in Canada. I also found it tricky to find female or gender-sensitive specialists, especially in fields like gynecology .
My solution:
Specific clinics and doctors became my go-tos, and after a few visits they are now my regular physicians in Seoul. Dr. Kim’s International Clinic in Yongsan and Seoul Foreign Clinic in Itaewon are both great for general medicine and psychiatry. The doctors at both of these clinics have practiced abroad, and in Korea, so the service will be more like what you are used to.
Trinity Women’s Clinic is highly recommended among female teachers, and is where I’ve been going for years now. I’ve also had excellent service and experiences at KMI, which is where all Creverse instructors go for their annual medical check ups. KMI makes it very accommodating for those that don’t know Korean, and I’ve always felt heard and understood there.
Understanding Costs and Insurance
What I found challenging:
I was surprised when a simple consult at a university hospital without insurance was around ₩25,000 ($20 USD), and also required prepping documents I didn’t even know existed.
I was also confused by foreigner-only vs. local pricing because some places may hike up the rates if they anticipate language support or translation will be needed. Coming from Canada where healthcare is universal, insurance costs were all new to me.
What helped:
Once you get your ARC (Alien Registration Card) you can register with National Health Insurance (NHI), which dramatically dropped all of my medical and consultation fees. For private clinics and specialists, I always call ahead to ask for pricing, and verify if they offer cashless billing for insured patients.
You can also purchase your own private healthcare which will cover much more than the national insurance in the case that you need more serious medical intervention. I pay for my own private insurer, because I’d rather be safe than sorry!
Knowing the System
Finding foreigner-friendly doctors in Korea isn’t always easy, but once you know the resources it gets a whole lot smoother.
If you’re a teacher, expat, or just visiting Korea, consider this your low-key roadmap. With some time and a few doctors visits, you will adjust to the Korean healthcare system just like I did!
Michelle Duquette, Marketing Assistant
Michelle Duquette is from Toronto, Canada and moved to South Korea in 2015. She has a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in ESL Education. Michelle has taught at Creverse campuses in Gangneung, Songpa, and Mokdong and currently works as a CDI and April Trainer. Michelle never set out to be a teacher but fell in love with Korean culture and the excitement of being in the classroom. Michelle lives in Seoul with her partner and two cats, Cherry and Frost.
