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How Do Payment and Receipts for Travel Insurance Work at an ENT in Gangnam, Seoul?

Answered by Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, MD · Board-certified otolaryngologist · Former professor, Yonsei & Ajou University · Consultations in English

The short version: pay first, claim later

Most private clinics in Korea, including ours, work on a pay-at-the-desk basis. After the consultation and any tests or treatment, you pay at reception. If you hold travel insurance or international health insurance, you then submit the documents to your insurer for reimbursement according to your policy.

How payment works

• With Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS): foreign residents enrolled in NHIS pay the patient share for covered services. Your ARC is used to apply coverage.
• Without Korean insurance: tourists and visitors pay the full fee for the services provided.
• Non-covered items: some services are outside NHIS coverage for everyone, for example the olfactory test, taste test, flu rapid antigen test, vitamin D test, nutrition IV therapy and the English medical certificate itself.

Cards are widely accepted in Korea. Ask reception if you would like an estimate for a planned test or procedure before it is done.

Documents insurers commonly ask for

1. Itemized receipt showing date, services and amounts paid
2. Medical certificate or diagnosis document naming the condition, often in English
3. Copies of medical records or test results, for larger claims
4. Pharmacy receipt from the pharmacy that filled your prescription

Requirements vary between policies, so read your insurer's claim instructions in advance and mention them at registration.

What we do at Gangnam Yonsei ENT

We keep the process straightforward. Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, a board-certified otolaryngologist and former Yonsei and Ajou University faculty member, explains your diagnosis in English, so you understand what will appear on your documents. Reception can issue receipts and record copies, and the clinic can prepare an English medical certificate on request.

We do not claim direct-billing partnerships with insurers. If your insurer offers a payment pre-authorization process, contact them first; otherwise, plan to pay and claim afterward.

Planned procedures

For planned procedures such as septoplasty, turbinate reduction or endoscopic sinus surgery, ask your insurer in advance whether pre-approval is required and which documents they need. Dr. Kim can explain the medical reason for the procedure, which insurers typically want stated clearly. These are functional, therapeutic surgeries for breathing and sinus disease, not cosmetic procedures.

National Health Insurance for foreign residents

Many long-term foreign residents in Korea are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service, either through an employer or individually. If you are enrolled, covered ENT services such as consultations, many diagnostic tests and medically necessary surgery are billed at the patient-share rate, and the rest is settled between the clinic and NHIS. Some people also hold private international insurance on top of NHIS and claim the patient share from that policy. If you are not sure whether you are enrolled, check with NHIS or your employer before your visit, because the clinic applies coverage based on your registration.

Practical tips

• Keep every receipt, including pharmacy receipts, in one envelope or photo folder.
• Request documents on the day; asking later is possible but takes an extra trip.
• Check the spelling of your name against your passport.

Read more in our international patient guide.

Related questions

Does the clinic bill my travel insurance directly?

The clinic does not claim direct billing with specific insurers. Patients pay at reception and then claim reimbursement with the receipts, records and English certificate we provide. If your insurer has its own payment pre-authorization process, contact them before your visit.

Can I get documents after I have left Korea?

It is much easier to request receipts, records and an English medical certificate on the day of your visit. Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-5344-4464 if you need something afterward, but plan for the extra time that document requests can involve.

Is the English medical certificate covered by insurance?

The English medical certificate is a non-covered item in Korea, so there is a separate fee for it. Whether your own travel or international insurer reimburses that fee depends on your policy terms.

This answer is general medical information written and reviewed by an ENT specialist. It is not a diagnosis. Please see a doctor for an examination. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.