Healthcare

When you're not feeling well

Korea's clinic system, English-speaking hospitals, and who to call when you need help.

The 4-Tier System

Which clinic do you go to?

Korea's healthcare is organized in 4 tiers. Start at the bottom — it's cheaper, faster, and usually all you need.

1
의원(Clinic)

Your default first stop. Walk-ins always welcome. One or two doctors, no beds.

E.g.: Cold, skin issue, prescription refill, checkup
NHIS: 70–80% covered
💡 Always start here — cheapest and fastest.
2
병원(Hospital)

30+ beds, multiple departments. Some procedures and overnight stays.

E.g.: Endoscopy, minor surgery, fracture treatment
NHIS: 60–70% covered
💡 Go when your 의원 refers you.
3
종합병원(General Hospital)

100+ beds, ICU, CT/MRI on-site. Needs referral for NHIS coverage.

E.g.: Complex surgery, childbirth, cancer treatment
NHIS: 40–60% covered (need referral)
💡 Get a 진료의뢰서 (referral slip) first or you pay 100%.
4
대학병원(University Hospital)

500+ beds. The country's top specialists. Referral required.

E.g.: Rare diseases, major organ surgery, specialized oncology
NHIS: 40–60% covered (0% without referral)
💡 Only go here when referred — or in a true emergency.

💳 Always bring your ARC (Alien Registration Card). Clinics use it to look up your NHIS insurance automatically — no card needed, just the number.

Find a Specialty

What kind of care do you need?

Pick a specialty below to search nearby clinics on Goodoc — Korea's largest clinic finder.

🩺내과Internal MedicineFind on Goodoc →✨피부과DermatologyFind on Goodoc →🦷치과DentalFind on Goodoc →🌸산부인과OBGYNFind on Goodoc →👂이비인후과ENTFind on Goodoc →🧠정신의학과PsychiatryFind on Goodoc →🦴정형외과OrthopedicsFind on Goodoc →👁️안과OphthalmologyFind on Goodoc →👶소아청소년과PediatricsFind on Goodoc →🌿한의과Korean MedicineFind on Goodoc →

Tip: Download the Goodoc app for appointments, check-ins, and 24/7 telemedicine.

English-Friendly Clinics

Clinics that speak your language

A curated map of English-friendly clinics and hospitals across Seoul. Click a pin to see details.

Hotlines

Who to call

Emergency / Ambulance
119

Interpreters available in multiple languages

Medical Triage Hotline
1339

English guidance on what to do — when to go to the ER vs. wait

Seoul Global Center — Medical Referral
02-2075-4180

24hr line. Medically trained English-speaking staff.

Medical Korea
1577-7129

Multilingual support + interpreter assignment to your clinic

Practical tips

Bring your ARC

Clinics use your ARC number to look up NHIS insurance automatically. You don't need a physical insurance card.

Fill prescriptions same day

Doctors give you a paper prescription slip (처방전) to take to an outside pharmacy (약국). They keep the slip — fill it same day.

Search "영어 가능" on Naver Maps

Type "영어 가능 병원" in Naver Maps to find English-speaking clinics near you. Or call ahead: "영어로 진료 가능한가요?"