Edutainer: Yeon-hwa
📌 Heads up before you read
In this post, [ ] indicates the actual pronunciation.
In Korea, both small clinics and large medical centers are referred to as 병원 (Hospital). For this post, I have used the term Hospital to refer to them.
The term for 내과[nae-kkwa] differs from country to country. In this post, I’ve chosen to use the Korean-style term Internal Medicine Clinics to represent its role and function.
Sometimes, the medicine you buy at the pharmacy isn’t enough to improve your symptoms, and that’s when it's time to go to the hospital. However, it can be confusing because the type of hospital you need to visit depends on your symptoms or the affected area. Today, I’ll guide you on which hospital to visit for common cold-related symptoms during the winter and how to receive proper treatment and care once you’re there.
🔎 Table of Contents
Part 1: Korean-Style Cold Self-Care Tips
Part 2: How to Buy Cold Medicine Like a Pro
Part 3: Visiting the Doctor
💊🏥 Finding a Hospital: 내과 (Internal Medicine Clinics)
Look for signs that say 내과[nae-kkwa].
In Korea, internal medicine clinics 내과[nae-kkwa] are not just found in large hospitals but are also available in small to medium-sized clinics. Today, I’ll tell you on how to visit these smaller, more accessible hospitals.
On [nae-kkwa] signs, you might see phrases like 내과, ○○내과, ○○내과의원, or 내과가정의학과 with the term 내과 prominently displayed. These hospitals specialize in the non-surgical treatment of internal organ issues through medications, endoscopy, or catheters. This makes [nae-kkwa] the perfect place to visit for symptoms like colds, the flu, headaches, or indigestion. You'll get the right care for your condition!
🗺️ Find [nae-kkwa] in Korea Using NAVER MAP
NAVER is Korea’s leading search portal, and its mapping app, NAVER MAP, is incredibly useful for finding hospitals and clinics in Korea. This app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
To locate an [nae-kkwa], simply search for '내과' in Korean or ‘internal medicine’ in English, and the app will show nearby [nae-kkwa]s.
Why use NAVER MAP?
Accurate Directions: Provides precise location and transportation information for [nae-kkwa]s.
Detailed Hospital Info: Displays operating hours, phone numbers, and medical information.
Exclusive Details: Offers in-depth information not available on Google Maps.
Patient Reviews: View reviews left by Korean patients, with a built-in translation feature to help foreigners easily understand.
If you’re looking for an [nae-kkwa] in Korea, give NAVER MAP a try—it’s a lifesaver! 😊
💊🏥 Steps for a Medical Visit in Korea
1️⃣ Prepare what you need
Bring your ID and either cash or a card.
2️⃣ Check-in and Wait
Check in at the front desk and wait your turn.
3️⃣ Consultation and Treatment
When your name is called, consult with the doctor, get diagnosed, and follow the prescribed treatment (e.g., an injection). If needed, request insurance documents during this step.
4️⃣ Pay and get your prescription
Pay the bill and get your prescription . Be sure to pick up any insurance paperwork here.
5️⃣ Buy Medicine
Take your prescription to a pharmacy to purchase your medication
1️⃣ Prepare what you need 💳💸
2️⃣ Check-in and Wait ⏳🪑
When you enter a hospital, go to the reception desk where the hospital staff is located and give your name or personal information to register. It’s important to bring your ID (including your passport). Without an ID card, you cannot receive medical treatment due to Korea’s medical laws.
If it’s your first visit to the hospital, you’ll need to fill out and submit a first-visit registration form. This form includes details such as your name, national ID number (or equivalent), phone number, and address. This process helps the hospital record your information in their system for future visits.
At the reception desk, the staff may ask why you’ve come to the hospital. Simply explain your symptoms. If you don’t speak Korean, you can use a translation app to explain your symptoms to the staff.
After registering, wait in the seating area until your name is called. If there aren’t many patients, you’ll be seen quickly. However, if the hospital is crowded, you may need to wait longer for your appointment.
3️⃣ Consultation and Treatment
When it’s your turn, the hospital staff will call your name and guide you to the consultation room. Once inside, explain your symptoms to the doctor.
Don’t worry about describing your symptoms. If speaking in Korean is difficult, you can use a translation app to communicate with the doctor. Korean doctors are generally very kind and accommodating to foreign patients, so there’s no need to stress. 😊
If you need documents for your insurance company, be sure to request them after your consultation. These documents should include details about your diagnosis and treatment, which must be completed and signed by the doctor.
4️⃣ Pay and get your prescription 💳📄
After your consultation with the doctor, the process usually continues in one of the following three ways:
ⓐ If no injection or IV is needed
You proceed directly to the billing desk to pay for your consultation.
ⓑ If an injection is prescribed
You receive the injection before heading to the billing desk to pay.
For adults, injections are often administered by nurses rather than doctors.
ⓒ If an IV (Intravenous Drip) is prescribed
In most cases, you pay for your consultation first and then receive the IV treatment. However, in smaller clinics, the IV might be administered before payment.
After your treatment, you’ll pay the bill at the hospital desk. Once payment is complete, you’ll receive your prescription. If you need insurance documents, you can request them at this time.
If you’re covered by Korea’s national health insurance, the cost is quite affordable. For first-time visits, including injections, the fee typically ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 KRW (around $3–$5). The cost of an IV drip depends on the type and quality of the medication used, generally ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 KRW (about $30–$100).
At the hospital, only the cost of treatment is charged as part of the medical bill, while the cost of prescribed medication is not included.
Most hospitals in Korea accept both cash and card payments.
5️⃣ Buy Medicine 💊🏥
Take your doctor's prescription to a pharmacy near the hospital to get your medicine. Simply hand the prescription to the pharmacist, and they will prepare the prescribed medicine for you. Once you pay, you'll get your medication—quick and easy!
For tips on using pharmacies, check out the Related Posts below! Pharmacies are usually located within a 1–2 minute walking distance from hospitals. 😊
💊🏥 Tips for Visiting a Hospital
1️⃣ Hospital Operating Hours
Hospitals in Korea usually operate from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, with many offering morning-only services on Saturdays. Most hospitals are closed on Sundays and public holidays, so be sure to check operating hours before visiting.
For late-night visits, you’ll need to go to a general hospital with an emergency room.
2️⃣ Insurance Documents
If you’re visiting Korea with traveler’s insurance or another type of health (medical) insurance, note that the required documents vary depending on your insurance company. It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company beforehand to confirm which documents you’ll need.
If you have private health insurance in Korea, you’ll typically need to submit the following documents after receiving treatment.
Two Examples of Private Insurance Submission Documents for Yeon-hwa (11/24/2024)
진료 확인서 (Certificate of Treatment)
진료비 계산서/영수증 (Medical Bill/Receipt)
진료비 세부 정산 내역서 (Detailed Statement of Medical Charges)
Since requirements differ by insurance company, it’s crucial to double-check what’s needed. Hospital staff may not be familiar with the specific requirements of every insurance company, so it’s best to know exactly what to request. 😊
From how Koreans treat colds at home to buying medicine at convenience stores in emergencies, buying over-the-counter medicine at pharmacies, and today's guide to visiting [nae-kkwa]s for prescriptions and getting medicine at pharmacies, we've covered it all in four parts.
These tips will be incredibly helpful during your stay in Korea. We hope you’ll find them useful whenever you need them. See you next time! 😊
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