The cost of ADHD assessments in Korea might surprise you. Depending on where you choose to go, it’s very cheap or very expensive. In the following blog post, we will talk about assessments at Korean psychiatric clinics v. assessments at mental health clinics near US military bases using international insurance.
Healthcare and Insurance in Korea
Did you know that not all international residents living in South Korea don’t all have the same type of health insurance? For example, SOFA-status (those affiliated with the US military) use international health insurance while living in South Korea.
The South of Seoul community has Korean NHIS and international insurance users. Therefore, the following post will talk about the cost of ADHD assessments in Korea under each insurance system. We will begin with NHIS information and move into foreign insurance information.
Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS) Users
If you have Korean National Health Insurance (국민건강보험) generally covers part of the cost of your ADHD assessment. However, always check with the clinic you choose about the cost of services before starting your assessment. For example, NHIS may not fully cover some private clinics or the clinic may not take NHIS.
Estimated Cost Diagnosis through National Health Insurance
On Naver Blogs, South of Seoul researchers found the following breakdown for ADHD assessment costs:
Psychiatrist Consultation: Initial consultations with a psychiatrist in South Korea typically cost between 30,000 to 50,000 KRW (22 to 37 USD) with NHIS coverage.
Assessment and Diagnostic Tests: The diagnostic process may include questionnaires, neuropsychological tests, and interviews. Such events can cost an additional 50,000 to 100,000 KRW (37 to 75 USD) under the national insurance system.
- Total Cost (With Insurance): The total cost for diagnosis may range between 80,000 to 150,000 KRW (60 to 112 USD) depending on the tests performed and the clinic.
Lived Experience of Diagnostic Costs
When our South of Seoul community member went for their ADHD assessment it cost 150,000 KRW. This cost matched exactly with the information found on Naver blogs. They received their ADHD assessment in 2024 from a private clinic in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do.
We recommend asking the price upfront when you visit the clinic near you for your ADHD assessment. Prices for services can always change over time and between areas or clinics.
International Health Insurance Users
For foreigners using international insurance, always contact insurance to confirm your plan covers the psychiatric services you seek. Additionally, you may want to find a clinic where someone speaks English to help you manage insurance issues. Therefore, you may want to use the mental health centers near US military bases that cater to foreign insurance.
Please note, that the cost of getting diagnosed for ADHD varies significantly between South Korea and the U.S. The price difference does not denote a difference in the quality of care. Instead, factors such as the healthcare system, insurance coverage, and the type of medical facility used impact pricing models. This means that if you want to follow US insurance system standards for an ADHD evaluation while living in South Korea the cost of assessment and medication may increase dramatically.
Estimated Cost of Diagnosis at Korean Psychiatric Clinic with International Insurance
The following estimates are a mix of ChatGPT information and interviews with the mental healthcare providers serving the US military in Pyeongtaek-si. We need ChatGPT to estimate an average for USA insurance costs. Please contact your insurance provider to learn your specific situation.
Psychiatrist Consultation: With insurance, the copay for a psychiatrist visit might range from 30 to 100 USD, depending on your insurance plan.
Assessment and Diagnostic Tests: These can cost between 100 to 500 USD if partially covered by insurance. Some tests may require additional payments depending on the type and comprehensiveness of the assessments.
- Total Cost (With Insurance): With a good insurance plan, the cost of diagnosis can range from 200 to 600 USD depending on the specialist, the location, and the level of insurance coverage.
Out of Pocket Expense for US-Style Diagnosis Without Insurance
Since we couldn’t find the costs online, SOS Public Health volunteers interviewed mental health clinics near US military bases. The mental health clinics quoted the following cost for a US-style ADHD assessment while living in South Korea:
- Total Cost (Without Insurance): The total cost for an ADHD diagnosis without insurance was 4,000,000 – 5,000,000 KRW depending on the provider.
Diagnosis without Insurance at a Psychiatric Clinic
You can visit Korean psychiatric clinics without insurance or choose to pay out of pocket when seeking an ADHD diagnosis. If you don’t have NHIS (such as for foreigners on a short-term visa) or choose to visit a private clinic, you may pay the full amount out of pocket.
We do not know the exact cost of the process but we can provide an estimate. The initial consultations at private clinics might cost between 100,000 to 200,000 KRW (75 to 150 USD). The additional tests and psychological assessments may cost up to 200,000 KRW (150 USD) depending on the clinic. The total cost could be around 400,000 KRW (350 USD).
Keep in mind, that these numbers reflect a smaller neighborhood clinic. Some of the larger, internationally known hospitals like Samsung Medical Center or Seoul National University Hospital may charge more for services.
Now you better understand the cost of ADHD assessments in Korea. Time to look at the process for getting assessed in a Korean Psychiatric clinic.
Getting Assessed for ADHD in Korea
Getting assessed for ADHD in Korea feels like a straightforward process when you know where to go and what to expect. Therefore, we created an ADHD Asessment Guide for international residents to demystify the process. With a growing number of treatment options and research studies, ADHD care in Korea is becoming more accessible for both children and adults. Whether through medication, behavioral therapy, or digital innovations, Korea offers diverse options for managing ADHD.
Please, don’t hesitate to seek assessment, treatment, and support for ADHD.
Founded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences.
