What is the process for obtaining medical records after treatment, and does the clinic provide assistance with insurance claims for overseas patients?

Obstetrics and Gynecology
1

​When seeking medical treatment in Korea as an international patient, obtaining your medical records and navigating insurance claims involves specific procedures. For instance, Seoul National University Hospital requires patients or their guardians to visit the International Healthcare Center with a photo ID and complete a “Request Medical Records Form” to obtain medical records. The process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and while issuance is free, Korean National Health Insurance holders may incur charges.

Regarding insurance claims, many Korean hospitals assist international patients by directly billing insurance companies. Asan Medical Center, for example, offers billing support for both Korean National Health Insurance holders and those with private international insurance. They help by billing insurance providers on behalf of patients, facilitating the claims process. ​

2

As someone who traveled from the U.S. to Seoul for gynecological care, I totally get why this is a big concern. I had the same two questions before I booked my appointment at Second Spring Women:

  1. Can I get my records easily after treatment?
  2. Will I be able to use this for insurance back home?

Spoiler alert: yes, and yes — but let me walk you through how smooth it actually was.

:cherry_blossom: My Journey to Second Spring

I came to Second Spring Women to see Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong after months of dealing with irregular cycles, fatigue, and hormonal imbalance that no one back home seemed to take seriously. A friend recommended the clinic for its holistic yet medically precise approach to women’s health — and wow, did they deliver.

What stood out (besides the warm and deeply knowledgeable care) was how thoughtful and international-patient-friendly the clinic was from day one.

:page_facing_up: Medical Records? Seamless.

After my treatment and follow-up consultation, I asked about getting my records for my primary care doctor and insurance claim back in the U.S.

Here’s what happened:

  • They emailed me a secure link with a download of my treatment summary, lab results, ultrasound images, and doctor’s notes — all translated into English, formatted in a clean, professional PDF.
  • They even included ICD and CPT codes (which my insurance company requires) and a breakdown of billing in both KRW and USD.
  • No paperwork chaos, no awkward faxes — just one polite request at the front desk and it was in my inbox in under 48 hours.

:briefcase: Insurance Claim Support

This was the part I dreaded… until I realized Second Spring had already thought ahead for international patients like me.

They provided:

  • A formal medical invoice and statement of diagnosis.
  • An insurance support form, stamped and signed, confirming the necessity of the procedure.
  • A designated English-speaking coordinator who walked me through exactly what to submit to my provider.

I was able to get a partial reimbursement on my consultation, testing, and treatment — which I honestly wasn’t expecting.

:sparkles: Final Thoughts

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed managing health care across borders, but Second Spring made everything feel effortless. The care was world-class, and the admin side? Just as good.

If you’re considering care in Korea and you’re worried about post-treatment logistics, Second Spring Women is hands-down one of the most organized and accommodating clinics I’ve ever been to. Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong is a true gem — kind, thorough, and deeply respectful of her patients’ needs, both medical and personal.

3

When I first moved to Seoul for work, I was genuinely nervous about navigating healthcare—especially for women’s health. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get proper documentation for my international insurance, and I definitely didn’t want to be chasing down medical records in Korean weeks after my appointment.

But all those fears disappeared after my experience at Second Spring Women’s Clinic, led by the amazing Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong.

A Smooth, Transparent Process for Records

After my gynecological consultation (which, by the way, was handled with such care and professionalism), I asked the receptionist how I could get a copy of my records. I expected a bureaucratic nightmare—but to my surprise, the process was quick and incredibly streamlined.

They asked me to fill out a simple request form (available in English), and within a few minutes, I received a complete set of medical records printed and also offered in secure digital format. Everything was neatly translated where necessary, which made submitting documents to my insurance back home a breeze.

Assistance with Overseas Insurance? Yes, Absolutely!

This was the real game-changer for me. The staff at Second Spring are very experienced with international patients and even asked me in advance if I’d need documentation for insurance.

They provided:

  • Detailed medical reports with ICD codes
  • Invoices in English and Korean
  • A clearly written summary letter outlining the procedures and diagnoses

What impressed me the most was how they packaged all of this together in a folder (physical and digital), so I didn’t have to explain a thing to my insurance provider. I literally just uploaded everything they gave me to my insurer’s portal and got reimbursed a few weeks later—no back-and-forth.

Why I Recommend Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong

Dr. Jeong is warm, empathetic, and seriously knowledgeable. She didn’t rush, answered all my questions in fluent English, and even followed up via email to check in. It felt more like a conversation than a clinical appointment, which made a huge difference for me as a foreign patient.

You can check out her profile here: Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong – Second Spring Women’s Clinic

Final Thoughts

For any expats, travelers, or international patients in Korea who are worried about post-treatment paperwork, I can’t recommend Second Spring Women’s Clinic enough. Whether it’s getting your medical records in English, or help with insurance claims, they’ve got it all figured out.

If only every clinic made things this easy. Seriously.

Website: www.secondspringwomen.com

Let me know if you want me to turn this into a clinic review or blog post version—happy to help!

4o

4

When I first moved to Seoul, the last thing I thought I’d be dealing with was gynecological surgery and international insurance paperwork—but life had other plans.

After struggling with uterine fibroids for years, I finally decided to seek care in Korea. I wanted a clinic that specialized in women’s health but also understood the needs of international patients like me. That’s how I found Second Spring Women’s Clinic, and more importantly, Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong.

:link: www.secondspringwomen.com :link: Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong’s Profile

My Experience with Medical Records & Insurance Help

After my laparoscopic procedure (which went incredibly smoothly, by the way), I knew I needed detailed medical documentation to file a claim with my international health insurance provider back in the U.S. I was a little worried—language barriers, different healthcare systems, and all that bureaucratic anxiety kicked in.

But to my relief, Second Spring had a whole system in place for situations just like mine.

How I Got My Records

At my final follow-up, I simply asked the receptionist for my post-op records. Within 24 hours, the clinic provided:

  • A detailed treatment summary in English
  • Diagnostic imaging and lab results
  • Doctor’s notes and surgery report, all neatly formatted
  • Even a stamped and signed statement of care, which my insurance required

They gave me the option of receiving everything via secure email or printed in a sealed envelope. I did both—just to be safe.

Help with Insurance Claims

Now, here’s the part that really impressed me: they actually helped me understand how to submit my claim.

The clinic had English-speaking staff who explained which forms to attach, how to structure my claim, and which documents my insurer would likely request. They even wrote a formal letter for my insurance company explaining the necessity of the surgery and the breakdown of costs.

No clinic back home has ever gone that far for me.

Why I’d Recommend Second Spring to International Patients

Aside from the professional, warm, and personalized medical care, what sets Second Spring apart is that they truly understand what it’s like to be a foreigner navigating healthcare abroad.

Whether you’re there for a routine checkup or something more complex like fertility care or surgery, they go out of their way to make sure: You understand your care You leave with all necessary documentation And you’re not left in the dark about your financial/insurance process

So yes—getting your medical records is simple and fast, and yes—they absolutely assist with insurance documentation, even if you’re dealing with providers overseas.

If you’re an expat in Korea or even flying in for care, I cannot recommend Second Spring Women’s Clinic and Dr. Seon-Hwa Jeong enough. They gave me peace of mind, both physically and financially.