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Health InformationFeeling Sick in Korea? - A Guide on What To Do and Where To Find Help

24 Nov 2021
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Living in another country is already hard enough especially when you are not fluent in their language, but when you find yourself unwell or needing intensive medical treatment, the stress can be overwhelming. If you are a foreigner living in Korea, here are some few things you can do when you start to feel sick, need a regular health checkup or have to undergo a medical treatment.

What To Do When You Get Sick in Korea

1. Know which hospital or doctor to visit


Korea has several hospitals and clinics specialized for your specific health needs such as plastic surgery, women’s health,  joint and spinal diseases and more. Knowing which hospital or doctor to visit is the first step to an easy access to medical care for your health needs. You can conveniently find the right doctor and hospital near you anytime, anywhere here.


2. Book an appointment at a hospital

Not all hospitals or clinics in Korea have walk-in services, so it might be vital to first book an appointment before you visit to avoid disappointments. Fortunately, some clinics have their website in English, so you can easily book directly from the there, but, there are still many more hospitals in Korea that have their reservation site in Korean or have a rather complex reservation system. 


3. Transportation

If you need a more complex or advanced medical treatment, chances are, you might have to travel to Seoul or other major cities if you do not already live there. If this is the case, you need to find a good hotel or accommodation to stay in if your checkup or treatment will last overnight or end late and, you need to find a means of transport to get to your hospital and back home.



4. Interpretation

Knowing basic Korean language does not really cut it when you have to explain your symptoms or medical needs, or understand the feedback your doctor gives about your health. Therefore, you might need an interpreter to assist you to get the optimal medical assistance as needed. 


Some hospitals have English-speaking staff or interpreters but many others unfortunately do not. However, you do not have to worry, U-MEDI has interpretation services for anyone who needs it. You can also get a FREE 2-hour interpretation service for your next hospital visit if you create an account on our page.


5. Health Insurance claim for foreigners in Korea

If you have international insurance, you can claim for reimbursement with your insurance provider after your treatment, but the paperwork can get complicated for first-timers. 


Do you have questions? Leave a comment below or contact us here! You can also check out 7 English-Speaking Hospitals in Korea for All Your Health Needs.

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