Article by:
Expat Health SEOUL
Getting a Pap Smear in Seoul, Korea
Thanks to the extensive healthcare system in Korea, finding an English-speaking gynecologist in Korea is not difficult at all. Many clinics and hospitals offer medical services in gynecology, sometimes as a specialty.
Because Koreans, in general, don’t make reservations when they go to a clinic or hospital, you won’t need to make an appointment, even with a yearly exam like a pap smear exam. The average wait time is between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the time that you arrive. In the early morning, lunch hour, and after-work hours will tend to be a little busier but shouldn’t keep you waiting too long.
Even you’re concerned about language barriers, you could bring a Korean-speaking friend with you to the clinic. However, more likely than not, the doctor will be able to speak English, especially for medical terminology. The front desk attendants might not be able to (although there’s always a chance they might) so you could bring a note with you in Korean, letting them know what the problem is or what medical exam you are requesting.
Once you get in to see the doctor, the exam will most likely take around 10 minutes, although if you have any questions or extenuating circumstances that you would like to bring it, it might take longer. It takes about a week to receive the results from the exam. Some clinics will mail the results and other require that you return to pick them up. Ask in advance so that there isn’t any confusion.
If you don’t know any Korean or have anyone to interpret the medical exam results for you, it might be a good idea to pick up the results from the clinic directly or to request your doctor write down a summary of the results in English for you. Some doctors might be too busy to do that, but it’s always worth asking since many understand it’s difficult getting medical work done in a different country.
If there are any problems with the results that come from the medical exam, the staff at the clinic will ask you to come back in so you can discuss them with the doctor.
With National Health Insurance:
Pap smear is covered by the NHI every 2 years based on birth year, odd year birth is covered on odd years, even birth year on even years. Not all OBGYNs/hospitals are covered so you'd have to ask. Std check and vaginal ultrasound are NOT covered unless you have symptoms in which case it is partially covered. NHI should send you a letter around March if this is your year to get the check-up. There they have information about the tests you can take according to your age and hospitals in your area where you can do the check-up. You don't need a letter with you when you visit the hospital for a check-up.
Without National Health Insurance:
It’s not expensive if you go on an off-year. Price varies by practice and what you need to be done, but a Pap smear and other tests are usually pretty cheap compared to the US. The average cost is around 40,000- 60,000 won for just a pap. You get a discount if there are problems.