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Using Hospitals and Emergencies: Clinics, Big Hospitals, 119

Last checked: 2026-11-03

This article was translated by AI. If anything differs, the Korean original prevails. Read the Korean original

If you know in advance where to go when you are sick, you can save time and money. This article does not replace a diagnosis. If your condition looks urgent, do not hesitate to call 119.

Where should I go?

• Mild illness: For a cold or an upset stomach, go to a local clinic (의원) first.
• Tertiary general hospital (상급종합병원, such as a large university hospital): To be treated with health insurance, in principle you must first be seen at another hospital and get a medical referral form (요양급여의뢰서).
• Cases where you can go without a referral form: emergency patients, childbirth, dental care, and family medicine, among others.

What to bring

Since May 20, 2024, your identity is checked when you get care with health insurance. Photos or screenshots are not accepted as ID. Emergency patients and some others are exceptions. If you borrow someone else's health insurance, both the lender and the borrower can be punished.

• The original of a photo ID, such as your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) or passport
• The mobile health insurance card app (if you have no ID)
• The names of medicines you take or your medical records from other hospitals (if you have them)

Steps at the hospital

1. Show your ID at the reception desk.
2. Tell the doctor your symptoms, when they started, and the medicines you take.
3. Pay the medical bill. If needed, ask for a receipt and a detailed statement.
4. Hand the prescription to a pharmacy and get your medicine.

In an emergency

Emergency symptoms include when the heart seems to have stopped, when breathing is hard, when there is heavy bleeding, and severe burns. Foreigners staying in Korea also have the right to receive emergency care without discrimination. Emergency medical workers cannot refuse emergency care without a justified reason.

1. Call 119. If speaking is hard, you can also use text messages, video calls, or the 119 report app. You can attach photos to a text message.
2. Say your address or the name of a nearby building, and the patient's condition.
3. Follow the paramedics' instructions, and take your ID with you if you have it.

Nights, holidays, and cost

You can find hospitals and pharmacies that are open at night or on holidays on the Emergency Medical Portal (응급의료포털, E-Gen). Since September 13, 2024, if you go to a large emergency room with a mild condition, you pay more out of your own pocket. If it is not urgent, look for an open hospital first. If you are not sure whether it is urgent and you are worried, do not hesitate to call 119.

If you cannot communicate

The Danuri Call Center (다누리콜센터) gives advice in 15 languages 24 hours a day, and helps with three-way interpreting at hospitals and in emergencies. For health insurance questions, contact the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단).

Official sources

• 국민건강보험공단: 요양급여의 담당 및 절차 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 보건복지부 보도자료(2024.5.17.): 병·의원 진료 시 신분증 지참 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 응급의료의 개념 등 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 응급의료의 거부 금지 및 이송 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 정부24: 119 다매체 신고 서비스 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 건강보험심사평가원: 응급의료센터 경증응급·비응급환자 본인부담률 인상 질의응답(2024.9.12.) (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 응급의료포털 E-Gen: 병원 찾기 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 다누리 포털: 다누리콜센터 안내 (Checked: 2026-11-03)

This is general information. Your situation may differ, so please confirm with the official agency. Report a mistake

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