Seoul hospitals see surge in out-of-city patients over past decade

Medical staff outside of the Seoul National University emergency room. Dec. 11. 2024/ Yonhap

SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Over 6.33 million patients from outside Seoul sought medical treatment in the capital's hospitals last year, marking a 27 percent increase from 2013, according to the National Health Insurance Service's annual report.

Non-Seoul residents accounted for 41.7 percent of the total 15.2 million patients treated in Seoul medical facilities in 2023, the highest proportion among South Korea's 17 administrative regions. These out-of-city patients generated medical expenses of 109 billion won ($83.5 million).

Surgical procedures for non-residents also rose significantly, with 207,401 patients from other regions receiving surgery in Seoul last year, a 31.5 percent increase from 2013. This represents 44.3 percent of all surgical patients in Seoul hospitals.

The trend reflects Seoul's continued dominance in healthcare resources, with the capital hosting 28 percent of the country's doctors and 24 percent of medical facilities. Advanced medical equipment is similarly concentrated, with Seoul housing 24 percent of national MRI machines and 35 percent of PET scanners. In South Korea, elderly patients from rural areas traditionally prefer to receive treatment in Seoul.

Candice Kim candicekim1121@ajupress.com