If a dispute arises over the result or the cost, where do I turn in Korea?

Disputes over medical treatment can be taken to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency for guidance on mediation and arbitration, and consumer matters such as cost or refunds to the Korea Consumer Agency for counselling and dispute settlement.

How to read the table

The table divides by the nature of the problem. Contesting the medical treatment itself and contesting cost or a contract involve different procedures and different bodies. What the problem is has to be settled first for where to go to be settled.

What these figures do not mean

Neither body issues judgments; both handle mediation and counselling. And in either case a dispute is hard to pursue without records, so the practical preparation is to keep what you receive from before surgery, not to start after a dispute arises.

What makes the difference?

• Records are the evidence — What you were told before surgery, the written estimate, the consent form and the progress records are the material for judgement. Keep what you receive.
• The two bodies are different in nature — Contesting the medical treatment itself and contesting cost or a contract are different procedures. It depends on what the problem is.
• Tell the clinic first — Usually the starting point is to inform the clinic that treated you and check on the progress. Keep a record of that process too.

Where to go depends on the nature of the problem

For harm from medical treatment, the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency provides guidance on mediation and arbitration procedures; for contract matters such as cost or refunds, the Korea Consumer Agency provides counselling and dispute settlement. The procedure depends on what the problem is, so settling that comes first.

You can only pursue a dispute with records

What you were told before surgery, the written estimate, the consent form and the progress records are the material for judgement. They are hard to gather after a dispute arises, so keeping what you receive as you go is the practical preparation. Whether the scope written on the consent form matches what you actually received is also a point to check.

Inform the clinic that treated you first

Usually the starting point is to inform the clinic that treated you and check on the progress. If you keep a record of that process too — when you reported what and what answer you received — it serves as evidence whichever procedure you go to afterwards.

What to confirm at consultation

• Get what you were told and the estimate in writing
• Whether the scope written on the consent form matches what you actually received
• Whether you can request progress photos and medical records

Asking about your own case

The table above gives general ranges and does not apply to you as it stands. Rephrasing the question like this at consultation gets you an answer for your own case.

Can I have what you explained and the estimate in writing? Can I request the progress records later?

Common misunderstandings

Where should I go?

For harm from medical treatment, the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency; for contract matters such as cost or refunds, the Korea Consumer Agency. The two bodies are different in nature, so it depends on what the problem is.

What should I keep ready?

What you were told before surgery, the written estimate, the consent form and the progress records. They are hard to gather after a dispute arises, so keep what you receive as you go.

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