South Korea Approves Telemedicine Access for Foreign Patients Before and After Treatment
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The amendment to the Medical Overseas Expansion Act enables registered healthcare providers in South Korea to offer remote consultations, diagnosis, prescriptions, counseling, education, and follow-up care to foreign patients.
South Korea has approved a legal amendment that will allow foreign patients to access telemedicine services before and after receiving treatment in the country, expanding digital healthcare access for international visitors.
The amendment to the Medical Overseas Expansion Act enables registered healthcare providers in South Korea to offer remote consultations, diagnosis, prescriptions, counseling, education, and follow-up care to foreign patients. The new provisions also extend telemedicine access to first-time international patients seeking treatment in the country.
According to South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), the change comes amid a rise in foreign patient visits, which have reached approximately two million annually. The ministry said the growing number of short-stay international patients has increased demand for remote pre-treatment consultations and post-return care once patients leave the country.
Under the revised law, clinic-level and hospital-level medical institutions will be permitted to provide telemedicine services to overseas patients. Healthcare providers, including specialized medical centers, will also be allowed to establish systems for remote consultations and prescription management.
The government said the amendment is intended to improve access to Korean healthcare services while supporting the country’s medical tourism sector. Patients will be able to receive medical guidance and treatment-related support remotely before traveling to South Korea and after returning to their home countries.
The legislation also introduces safeguards aimed at preventing misuse of telemedicine services. These measures include the cancellation of registration for healthcare providers found to be violating regulatory requirements.
The development comes as South Korea prepares for broader telemedicine reforms. Separate amendments to the Medical Service Act are scheduled to take effect in December 2026, allowing domestic access to telemedicine services. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare noted that those provisions do not cover foreign patients, making the latest amendment a distinct framework for international healthcare users.
South Korea has been gradually expanding digital healthcare capabilities in recent years. In October 2025, the government reinstated pre-medical emergency crisis restrictions on telemedicine, limiting remote consultations to 30% and largely restricting services to clinic-level institutions while broader legislative changes were under review.
Several healthcare providers have already moved into the space. Asan Medical Center, one of South Korea’s largest hospitals, launched an AI-powered platform last year that enables international patients to register, share medical records, schedule pre-consultations, and receive remote treatment services. The hospital has offered telemedicine services to foreign patients since 2021.
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