[theqoo] INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS TO FOREIGNERS COMING TO KOREA FOR MEDICAL TOURISM

I hear that more and more foreigners are coming to Korea for medical tourism these days.

It seems that people are visiting not only for cosmetic procedures but also for comprehensive health check-ups.

casparius
I’d actually travel to korea for hair transplant, their attention to details are next level compared to other places

ㄴHimedi
That’s interesting! Turkey is usually the first country people mention for hair transplants. What made you choose Korea instead?

ㄴalrightk
Did a hair transplant and can vouch for this!! They even placed my hairs to match the natural way it falls along my hairline and the price was so good ($3k usd).

ㄴStrange-Evening-6646
Wow, how did you find the clinic you went with?

ㄴalrightk
I found the clinic through the Unni app!

ㄴSunsetsAndPasta
I´ve been looking into this, there are many good reviews about Korea and hair transplant

not_unabomber
While undergoing cancer treatment in Korea, I also saw a few Americans and Canadians.

bananacustardpie
I did lamination in Korea

lewdpotatobread
In my case, I had phakic IOL surgery (implantable contact lens surgery) in Korea.
The actual procedure took less than two minutes per eyE
It was about two to three times cheaper than in the US
I think skipping the sedation anesthesia, which is common in the US, helped save both time and money.
At the clinic I visited, they operated on one eye on the first day, checked to ensure the lens fit properly, and then performed the surgery on the other eye the following day.
I also had liposuction done in Korea LOL

ScroogeMc_Duck
I spent time in Korea as an exchange student; if you stay for more than 60 days, you get an alien registration card and can enjoy all the associated benefits.
That’s how I got all four of my wisdom teeth removed for free
Back in Norway, the base cost alone would have been around $200 per tooth
I also underwent SMILE LASIK surgery; the service was incredibly professional, and it cost only half of what it would have in Norway
Although LASIK isn’t covered by Korea’s National Health Insurance, it was absolutely worth it
It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made

ㄴYoumademe_ink
It’s six months now, not 60 days.
I think the rule changed because foreigners were exploiting the medical and insurance systems to get surgery and then immediately returning to their home countries.
I’m not saying you abused the system; I’m just talking about the general situation.
As it happens, I’m currently waiting to complete that six-month period myself.

ㄴScroogeMc_Duck
Since I’m on a student visa, I wonder if the limit is 60 days?
Students often enjoy more social benefits and privileges compared to those on standard work visas, though I’m not exactly sure how the regulations differ between the visa types.

Pale_Mortgage_5695
I recently completed a comprehensive health checkup in Korea that included both a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy
I’m a 48-year-old male, and the results showed that I’m in good health
The exams themselves weren’t difficult, though the preparation the day before was a bit of a hassle
I had to completely empty my system, and while I felt groggy for about three or four hours afterward due to the anesthesia, the sedation itself made the procedure very comfortable
After it was all over, I relaxed at a jjimjilbang, which was fantastic
If I have the chance to do it again, I’d get the checkup in Korea without hesitation
The entire process was incredibly smooth
Everything was perfect from the world-class facilities and outstanding service to the efficient workflow from start to finish
Plus, the cost was just one-tenth of what it would be in the US

ㄴbriennybrienne
How much did it cost you?

ㄴPale_Mortgage_5695
1,350,000 won
It might look like a lot but it’s 1,000 USD

ㄴbriennybrienne
This is quite good

hansemcito
Health checkups involve the hassle of emptying your bowels, so doing one while on vacation isn’t exactly ideal...

yoonssoo
You’d realize just how great medical tourism in Korea is if you tried it.
In the US, it would have easily taken six months to complete a comprehensive testing package, involving visits to multiple hospitals, hours spent at each, and numerous appointments, but in Korea, I finished everything in just three hours.
It’s easy for foreigners to make appointments too

GayMelee
I went to Korea last month and got some dental work done
I had two cavities treated, and I’m really happy with the results!
Medical costs are incredibly low, even without insurance, so I think it’s well worth it, especially for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access affordable care
Since I live in the US and don’t have dental insurance, getting treated while visiting Korea was the obvious choice
I was able to save thousands of dollars, even after factoring in the cost of the flight
The facilities were clean and efficient, and booking an appointment was really easy

Current_Cancel4060
For me, it’s more about skincare than a special medical check-up
Vacation is time for myself, after all
So, I should take care of myself too

midnightllamas
It likely depends on your age and whether you have health insurance in the US
After all, getting medical treatment in the US is difficult without insurance

2. Those tourists aren’t covered by health insurance

They should come for medical tourism, get tested, spend their money, and then leave

3. I visited an OB/GYN recently and saw foreigners there too 

Honestly, there are foreigners everywhere in Korea these days

I don’t really mind, though; they’re likely paying their taxes just like everyone else to get medical care.

They say China is obsessed with engineering and Korea with medical school; the upside of having so many hospitals here is that you can get treated right away for minor ailments

The real issue, of course, is when the condition is serious enough to require the emergency room

4. People who complain about money “leaking out” really don’t have a clue. They seem to think foreigners are reaping huge benefits from the money they paid in, but the reality is that the health insurance account for foreigners is actually in surplus, whereas the account for citizens is running a massive deficit. A small minority, like Yoo Jae-suk or BTS, pay huge amounts, while the vast majority of the public are the ones receiving the benefits. If people are genuinely worried about the health insurance fund’s finances, they should be petitioning to raise premiums across the board and cracking down on “fake” patients, like the elderly who visit hospitals hundreds of times a year

5. Those people don’t get health insurance benefits, but they come here to get the procedure done because it’s cheaper than in their home countries, even after factoring in the cost of flights and accommodation

6. What kind of nonsense is this talk about health insurance? Those people are here on a trip; they pay the full cost out of pocket for medical tourism without getting any health insurance benefits. Ugh, reading these comments is so frustrating. People have already explained it all, can’t you just read that before posting?

7. The real issue are the gyopos 

8. I knew I should’ve been a doctor 

9. Please come more 

10. How is getting wisdom teeth removed free? Even Koreans who pay health insurance premiums don’t get it for free, right? You have to pay for teeth cleaning too, so how could this be free?