The standard of healthcare in Busan is high. Hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and staff are well trained. Many hospitals in Busan are attached to universities. There are also many reputable private clinics throughout the city.
South Korea's National Health Insurance programme is a compulsory social insurance system that covers the whole population. Foreigners are required to register for the national scheme if they have lived in the country for six months.
Doctors and specialists will claim most of the costs of a consultation from the NHI, and expats will have to pay only a portion of the cost. Prescription medication and traditional medicine (including acupuncture) are also covered and will therefore also incur small costs.
Expats don't have to be concerned about language barriers when it comes to healthcare in the city. Most large hospitals and international clinics have English-speaking staff. It's also common for hospitals to have interpreting services available.
Pharmacies in Busan are also plentiful and easy to find throughout the city, but they are rarely attached to hospitals and seldom open 24 hours. Korean pharmacies, called yak-guk, are usually indicated by the yak symbol displayed at the front of the store or in the window. It's advisable to have a Korean friend or colleague write down what is needed in Korean, as many pharmacists don't speak English well.
Read more about Healthcare and Health Insurance for expats in South Korea.
Hospitals in Busan
Some of the most reputable hospitals in Busan include:
Dong-Eui Medical Center
Website: www.demc.kr
Address: 62 Yangjeong-ro, Busanjin-gu
West Busan Centum Hospital
Website: www.wbch.co.kr
Address: 226 Saebyeok-ro, Sasang-gu
Kosin University Gospel Hospital
Website: www.kosinmed.or.kr
Address: 262 Gamcheon-ro, Seo-gu
Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital
Website: www.paik.ac.kr
Address: 875 Haeun-daero, Haeundae-gu
Busan St Mary's Hospital
Website: www.bsm.or.kr
Address: 25-14, Yongho-ro 232beon-gil, Nam-gu
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global Health Insurance.
Medical insurance specifically designed for expats. With Cigna, you won't have to rely on foreign public health care systems, which may not meet your needs. Cigna allows you to speak to a doctor on demand, for consultations or instant advice, wherever you are in the world. They also offer full cancer care across all levels of cover, and settle the cost of treatments directly with the provider.
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