Insurance paperwork in Korean can feel like a vending machine that only accepts coins from 1997. You know you need a receipt, a certificate, or a diagnosis code, but the counter staff asks a question you almost understand, and suddenly your confidence slips under the clinic chair. Today, this guide gives you the practical Korean vocabulary, scripts, document names, and decision cues you need to request the right papers for an insurance claim in about 15 minutes. Think of it as a small flashlight for Korean medical receipts, claim documents, and diagnosis codes.
Quick Answer
For most Korean insurance claims, the documents people ask for are 진료비 영수증 for the medical receipt, 진료비 세부산정내역서 for the itemized bill, 처방전 for the prescription, 약제비 영수증 for the pharmacy receipt, and 진단서 or 진료확인서 for proof of diagnosis or visit.
The most useful phrase is:
보험 청구하려고 하는데 필요한 서류 발급해 주세요.
“I need documents for an insurance claim, please.”
If you remember only one thing, remember this: Korean claim documents are usually separated by where you paid, what was done, and what diagnosis was recorded. The insurer may need all three. A receipt without details can look tidy but still be claim-useless, like a suitcase with no handle.
- Use 보험 청구 for insurance claim.
- Ask for 영수증 and 세부내역서 together.
- Confirm whether your insurer needs 진단서 or 진료확인서.
Apply in 60 seconds: Save the sentence “보험 청구용 서류 주세요” in your phone notes.
Who This Is For / Not For
This guide is for you if...
You are a US reader living in Korea, visiting Korea, helping a parent file a claim, preparing reimbursement papers after treatment, or trying to understand Korean clinic documents before sending them to an insurer. It is especially useful if your phone has 17 blurry receipt photos and one of them might be the important one. We have all met that tiny paper dragon.
This is also for Korean learners who need practical, adult-life vocabulary. Not “the apple is red,” but “please issue the itemized medical expense statement for my insurer.” Glamorous? No. Useful? Deeply.
This guide is not for...
This guide is not a legal opinion, medical diagnosis, tax plan, or guarantee that an insurer will approve your claim. Korean clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, travel insurers, private health insurers, employer plans, and US-based insurers can all require different evidence.
If your claim involves surgery, disability, long hospitalization, worker injury, suspected fraud, missed filing deadlines, or a large reimbursement amount, treat this article as a vocabulary map, not the whole boat.
Core Korean Insurance Claim Vocabulary
Before you ask for documents, you need the core nouns. Korean administrative language can be polite, compact, and strangely fond of long compound words. Once you recognize the bricks, the wall gets less scary.
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | When you use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보험 | boheom | insurance | General claim talk |
| 보험 청구 | boheom cheonggu | insurance claim | Main phrase at clinics |
| 실손보험 | silson boheom | indemnity medical insurance | Korean private medical claim context |
| 서류 | seoryu | documents | Any paperwork request |
| 발급 | balgeup | issuance | Asking a clinic to issue documents |
| 제출 | jechul | submission | Sending papers to insurer |
| 보상 | bosang | compensation or reimbursement | Claim result discussion |
| 심사 | simsa | review | Insurer reviewing a claim |
A small moment from real life: I once watched a foreign resident ask for “보험 종이,” literally “insurance paper.” The clinic clerk smiled, then printed five different forms. It worked, but it was administrative confetti. “보험 청구용 서류” would have saved both people several polite minutes.
The phrase pattern that unlocks the counter
Use this pattern:
[Purpose] + 용 + 서류 + 발급해 주세요.
Example:
보험 청구용 서류 발급해 주세요.
Please issue the documents for an insurance claim.
The suffix 용 means “for use as” or “for the purpose of.” You will see it everywhere: 제출용 for submission, 회사 제출용 for company submission, 보험 청구용 for insurance claim use.
Related Korean-learning resources
If you are still building your paperwork confidence, pair this article with Korean form vocabulary. If your claim involves a hospital visit, the guide on essential Korean medical terms can help you recognize clinic language faster.
Receipts, Itemized Bills, and Payment Terms
Insurance claims usually begin with proof of payment. In Korea, that proof can come in layers. The first layer says you paid. The second layer explains what you paid for. The second layer is often the one that saves the claim from wandering into “please resubmit” purgatory.
진료비 영수증: medical expense receipt
진료비 영수증 means medical expense receipt. It usually shows the clinic or hospital, patient name, date of service, total paid, insurance-covered and non-covered categories, and sometimes payment method.
Useful phrase:
진료비 영수증 한 장 발급해 주세요.
Please issue one medical expense receipt.
If you went to a pharmacy after the visit, do not assume the clinic receipt covers medicine. The pharmacy is usually a separate payment universe with its own little moon.
진료비 세부산정내역서: itemized medical bill
진료비 세부산정내역서 is the itemized statement of medical charges. It is longer and more detailed than the receipt. It may show treatment items, tests, injections, materials, covered amounts, non-covered amounts, and other billing categories.
Use this phrase:
진료비 세부산정내역서도 같이 주세요.
Please also give me the itemized medical expense statement.
I have seen people leave with only the receipt, upload it, and receive a message asking for the itemized statement. That second trip feels like getting called back to the bakery because your croissant forgot its butter.
약제비 영수증: pharmacy receipt
약제비 영수증 means pharmacy expense receipt. If your insurer reimburses medication, this matters. Ask the pharmacy for it right after pickup.
보험 청구하려고 약제비 영수증 주세요.
I need the pharmacy receipt for an insurance claim.
카드 영수증 is not always enough
카드 영수증 is a card receipt. It proves a payment happened, but it may not prove who was treated, what was treated, or which medical service was billed. For claims, a card receipt alone is often too thin.
| Document | Korean name | Best for | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical receipt | 진료비 영수증 | Proving clinic or hospital payment | May not show enough detail |
| Itemized bill | 진료비 세부산정내역서 | Showing treatment and charge breakdown | Can be longer and harder to translate |
| Pharmacy receipt | 약제비 영수증 | Medication reimbursement | Separate from clinic paperwork |
| Card receipt | 카드 영수증 | Basic payment proof | Often not enough by itself |
Medical Certificates and Clinic Documents
Receipts answer “how much?” Certificates answer “why?” That difference matters. A claim may be delayed if the insurer cannot connect the amount paid to a diagnosis, treatment date, or medical necessity.
진단서: medical diagnosis certificate
진단서 is a formal medical certificate stating diagnosis and related information. It is often more official and may cost more than a simple visit confirmation.
Useful phrase:
진단서 발급 비용이 얼마인가요?
How much is the fee for issuing a diagnosis certificate?
Some clinics may ask why you need it. You can say:
해외 보험사에 제출해야 합니다.
I need to submit it to an overseas insurer.
진료확인서: treatment or visit confirmation
진료확인서 confirms that you received care. It may include visit date, department, and sometimes diagnosis name or code, depending on the clinic and purpose.
Use it when the insurer needs proof of visit but not a full formal diagnosis certificate.
입퇴원확인서: hospitalization and discharge confirmation
입퇴원확인서 confirms admission and discharge dates. If your claim involves inpatient care, this document can be essential.
Related words:
- 입원: hospitalization or admission
- 퇴원: discharge
- 입원 기간: hospitalization period
- 병실: hospital room
수술확인서: surgery confirmation
수술확인서 confirms surgery. Some policies require it for surgery benefits, lump-sum payments, or extra coverage. Ask your insurer whether they need the operation name, surgery date, anesthesia details, or surgeon confirmation.
A clinic receptionist once told a patient, “영수증만으로는 부족할 수도 있어요,” meaning the receipt alone may not be enough. That sentence is claim wisdom wearing comfortable shoes.
Visual Guide: Which Korean Claim Document Do You Need?
Ask for 진료비 영수증 and 진료비 세부산정내역서.
Ask the pharmacy for 약제비 영수증.
Ask whether 진단서 or 진료확인서 is enough.
Request 입퇴원확인서 and any surgery records if needed.
Diagnosis Codes, Disease Names, and Treatment Labels
Diagnosis codes are where language and insurance start wearing lab coats. In Korea, diagnosis information may appear as Korean disease names, English medical terms, or alphanumeric codes. For cross-border claims, the code can be the bridge between the Korean clinic and the insurer reviewing your file abroad.
상병명: diagnosis name or disease name
상병명 means diagnosis name or disease name. You may see it on a certificate, claim app screen, or hospital document.
Ask:
상병명이 표시된 서류가 필요합니다.
I need a document showing the diagnosis name.
질병코드 and 진단코드: disease code and diagnosis code
질병코드 means disease code. 진단코드 means diagnosis code. In practical conversation, people may understand either one, but ask your insurer what it specifically requires.
Useful phrase:
질병코드가 포함되어 있나요?
Does it include the disease code?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics maintains information on ICD-10-CM in the United States. Korean records may use coding that your US insurer or translator needs to interpret carefully, especially if a claim depends on exact diagnosis grouping.
주상병 and 부상병: primary and secondary diagnosis
주상병 is the primary diagnosis. 부상병 is a secondary diagnosis. This can matter if your insurer covers one condition but excludes another, or if the claim relates to accident versus illness.
Example:
주상병이 무엇으로 되어 있나요?
What is listed as the primary diagnosis?
치료명, 검사명, 처치명
Claims often ask not only “what illness?” but “what was done?” These words help:
- 치료명: treatment name
- 검사명: test or exam name
- 처치명: procedure or treatment action name
- 수술명: surgery name
- 투약: medication administration or prescription context
Show me the nerdy details
For claim review, diagnosis and billing details often serve different jobs. A diagnosis code identifies the medical condition category. An itemized bill identifies what services, tests, supplies, drugs, or procedures were charged. A visit confirmation proves timing and attendance. A formal certificate may tie the diagnosis, date, doctor, and institution together. If one piece is missing, an insurer may not deny the claim outright, but it may pause review and ask for a clearer document. That pause is where many claims lose time.
- 상병명 means diagnosis name.
- 질병코드 means disease code.
- 주상병 means primary diagnosis.
Apply in 60 seconds: Ask “질병코드가 포함되어 있나요?” before paying for a certificate.
What to Say at the Clinic, Pharmacy, or Insurer
The easiest way to avoid confusion is to speak in complete mini-scripts. Korean staff are often very efficient, but they cannot read your insurer’s mind. Hand them the purpose first, then the document name, then the special requirement.
At the clinic reception desk
보험 청구하려고 하는데 필요한 서류를 발급받고 싶어요.
I’d like to get the documents needed for an insurance claim.
진료비 영수증이랑 세부산정내역서 같이 받을 수 있을까요?
Can I get the medical receipt and the itemized statement together?
진단명이 들어간 서류가 필요해요.
I need a document that includes the diagnosis name.
영문으로 발급 가능한가요?
Can it be issued in English?
That last question is worth asking early. Some hospitals can issue English documents. Small clinics may not. A polite ask at the counter can save a translation fee later.
At the pharmacy
보험 청구용 약제비 영수증 주세요.
Please give me the pharmacy receipt for an insurance claim.
처방전 사본도 받을 수 있나요?
Can I also get a copy of the prescription?
Calling or messaging the insurer
한국 병원에서 진료를 받았는데, 어떤 서류가 필요하나요?
I received treatment at a Korean hospital. What documents do I need?
진단서가 꼭 필요한가요, 아니면 진료확인서로 가능한가요?
Is a diagnosis certificate required, or is a visit confirmation acceptable?
질병코드가 반드시 포함되어야 하나요?
Must the diagnosis code be included?
If you text in Korean often, this related guide on polite Korean texting templates can help you write messages that sound human, not machine-translated by a toaster.
Decision card: what to ask based on your claim type
Decision Card: Match Your Situation to the Korean Request
Small outpatient visit: Ask for 진료비 영수증 + 진료비 세부산정내역서.
Medication claim: Add 약제비 영수증 and 처방전 사본.
Diagnosis-sensitive claim: Ask whether 진단서 is required and whether 질병코드 must appear.
Hospital stay: Ask for 입퇴원확인서, itemized bill, and any surgery or treatment confirmation.
Overseas insurer: Ask whether English documents are available before requesting translation.
Insurance Claim Document Checklist
Claim paperwork works best when you collect it while you are still at the clinic. Once you walk out, every missing document becomes a second errand. In Korea, that errand may require a queue number, ID, and the patience of a ceramic teapot.
Basic outpatient claim checklist
- 진료비 영수증: medical expense receipt
- 진료비 세부산정내역서: itemized medical expense statement
- 처방전: prescription, if medication was prescribed
- 약제비 영수증: pharmacy receipt, if medicine was purchased
- 신분증: ID, if the institution asks for verification
- 보험 청구서: claim form, if your insurer requires one
Higher-value or complex claim checklist
- 진단서: diagnosis certificate
- 진료확인서: treatment or visit confirmation
- 입퇴원확인서: hospitalization and discharge confirmation
- 수술확인서: surgery confirmation
- 검사결과지: test results
- 영상자료 사본: copy of imaging data, if required
- 의무기록 사본: copy of medical records
Eligibility checklist before you submit
Claim Readiness Checklist
- Does each document show the patient name?
- Does the date match the treatment date?
- Does the amount match what you paid?
- Do you have both receipt and itemized statement?
- Does the document show diagnosis name or code if required?
- Did you include pharmacy documents separately?
- Are scans clear, not cropped, and not covered by your thumb?
- Did you keep originals until the claim is fully resolved?
One tiny habit helps: take a photo of each paper immediately, then rename it in your phone album. “Clinic receipt May 12” beats “IMG_8472,” which sounds like evidence from a submarine expedition.
Common Fees, Copies, and Translation Costs
Some Korean medical documents are free or low-cost. Others carry issuance fees. Formal certificates often cost more than simple receipts. The exact amount depends on the clinic, hospital, document type, and whether the document is original, copied, Korean, or English.
Fee and cost table
| Item | Korean term | Typical cost pattern | Decision cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic receipt | 영수증 | Often free or easy to reissue | Always request it |
| Itemized statement | 세부산정내역서 | Often low or no fee | Request with receipt |
| Diagnosis certificate | 진단서 | May have a noticeable issuance fee | Confirm insurer requires it first |
| Medical record copy | 의무기록 사본 | May vary by page or media | Ask only when needed |
| English certificate | 영문 진단서 | Often more than Korean version | Compare with translation requirement |
Mini calculator: estimate your document prep cost
Mini Calculator: Claim Paperwork Prep Cost
Use this simple estimate for planning only. Enter your expected document fees, translation cost, and extra visit transportation cost.
Estimated prep cost: 0 KRW
Before paying for a formal certificate, ask your insurer whether a simpler document is accepted. This one question can save money, time, and the small theatrical sigh we release when paperwork grows another head.
- Confirm the insurer’s exact requirement first.
- Ask whether English issue is possible.
- Keep simple receipts even if you buy a certificate.
Apply in 60 seconds: Message your insurer: “Do you require a diagnosis certificate, or is a visit confirmation enough?”
Short Story From the Claim Desk
Short Story: The Receipt That Looked Complete
Maya left a Seoul clinic with a neat receipt, folded once, tucked into her passport like a tiny white flag of victory. Her US travel insurer asked for documentation, so she uploaded the receipt that evening, proud of her efficiency. Three days later, the reply came back: “Please provide an itemized bill and diagnosis information.” The receipt showed payment, but not enough medical detail. Maya returned to the clinic and said, carefully, “보험 청구용 진료비 세부산정내역서랑 진료확인서 주세요.” The staff printed both. The claim moved forward. The lesson was not that Korean paperwork is impossible. It was that one document can look official and still be incomplete. Payment proof answers one question. Treatment details answer another. Diagnosis documents answer a third. A strong claim does not shout. It stacks the right papers in the right order.
Common Mistakes
Most claim mistakes are not dramatic. They are small, quiet, and beige. But beige can be expensive when it delays reimbursement.
Mistake 1: Asking only for 영수증
A receipt may be enough for a tiny claim, but many insurers need the itemized statement too. Ask for both before leaving.
Better phrase: 진료비 영수증이랑 세부산정내역서 같이 주세요.
Mistake 2: Forgetting pharmacy paperwork
Clinic and pharmacy payments are separate. If medicine is part of your claim, collect pharmacy proof.
Mistake 3: Paying for 진단서 too early
A diagnosis certificate can be helpful, but it may not always be necessary. Some insurers accept a visit confirmation or itemized statement. Ask first.
Mistake 4: Missing the diagnosis code
If your insurer needs a diagnosis code, a document showing only a vague treatment description may not pass review. Ask specifically for 질병코드 or 진단코드.
Mistake 5: Cropped photos and blurry scans
A perfect document becomes a bad claim file if the photo cuts off the clinic name, date, amount, or patient name. Use a scan app or a flat surface with bright light.
Mistake 6: Translating too much or too little
Some insurers need only key fields translated. Others require certified translation. Confirm before paying. Translation is useful medicine, but you do not pour the whole bottle into the spoon.
Risk scorecard
Claim Delay Risk Scorecard
Add 1 point for each “yes.”
- You have only a card receipt.
- You do not have an itemized bill.
- Your document does not show patient name.
- Your insurer asked for diagnosis code, but you cannot find one.
- Your pharmacy receipt is missing.
- Your document photos are blurry or cropped.
- Your claim is for surgery, hospitalization, accident, or a large amount.
0–1 points: Low delay risk.
2–3 points: Medium delay risk. Fix gaps before submitting.
4+ points: High delay risk. Contact the insurer or clinic before filing.
For more everyday complaint phrasing, see polite Korean complaint templates. It can help when you need to ask for correction without sounding sharp.
Safety and Insurance Disclaimer
This guide explains Korean vocabulary and practical document handling for insurance claims. It does not replace advice from your doctor, insurer, licensed insurance professional, attorney, tax adviser, or translator.
Medical records can contain sensitive personal information. When uploading documents, use your insurer’s secure portal if available. Avoid sending full medical documents through casual messaging apps unless your insurer specifically uses that channel and you understand the privacy risk.
The FTC warns consumers to be careful with personal and financial information, especially when messages ask for urgent payment, sensitive data, or unusual document uploads. If someone contacts you claiming to be an insurer but the request feels odd, verify through the official phone number or website.
- Use official insurer channels when possible.
- Verify suspicious requests before sending documents.
- Do not alter medical documents.
Apply in 60 seconds: Bookmark your insurer’s official claim portal before you need it.
When to Seek Help
Most small outpatient claims can be handled with a careful checklist. But some claims deserve backup. The goal is not to be helpless. The goal is to know when the paperwork has grown teeth.
Ask your insurer when...
- The insurer asks for a document name you do not recognize.
- The claim involves surgery, hospitalization, cancer, disability, accident injury, or emergency care.
- The insurer rejects the first submission.
- The deadline is close.
- The reimbursement amount is large enough to matter to your budget.
Ask the clinic or hospital records desk when...
- You need medical record copies.
- You need English documents.
- The diagnosis code is missing.
- The name, date, or birthdate is incorrect.
- You need records for a dependent, parent, or spouse.
Consider a translator or advocate when...
Use professional help if the insurer requires certified translation, if the claim involves a serious diagnosis, or if Korean records need to be summarized for a US medical reviewer. If you need an English medical summary, this related guide on asking for an English medical summary in Korean is a practical next read.
Quote-prep list for a translator
Translation Quote-Prep List
- Number of pages
- Document type: receipt, diagnosis certificate, medical record, test result
- Target language: English
- Whether certification is required
- Deadline
- Whether medical terminology must be translated by a specialist
- Whether the insurer accepts summary translation or full translation
For US Medicare-related claims and appeals, Medicare provides public guidance on how claim filing works. Even if you are not using Medicare, the page is useful because it shows how official claim systems think about forms, timing, and proof.
FAQ
What is “insurance claim” in Korean?
“Insurance claim” is 보험 청구. A simple clinic phrase is 보험 청구용 서류 주세요, meaning “Please give me the documents for an insurance claim.”
How do I ask for a medical receipt in Korean?
Say 진료비 영수증 주세요. For a stronger claim packet, say 진료비 영수증이랑 세부산정내역서 같이 주세요, which asks for both the receipt and itemized statement.
What is the Korean word for itemized bill?
The common term is 진료비 세부산정내역서. It means an itemized medical expense statement. This document often shows the billing breakdown behind the total amount.
What is a diagnosis certificate in Korean?
A diagnosis certificate is 진단서. It is usually more formal than a simple visit confirmation. Ask your insurer whether a 진단서 is required before paying for one.
What is the difference between 진단서 and 진료확인서?
진단서 is a formal diagnosis certificate. 진료확인서 is a treatment or visit confirmation. Some insurers accept the simpler document, while others require the formal certificate.
How do I ask whether a document includes a diagnosis code?
Say 질병코드가 포함되어 있나요? This means “Does it include the disease code?” You can also ask 진단코드가 표시되어 있나요?, meaning “Is the diagnosis code shown?”
Do I need pharmacy receipts for Korean insurance claims?
If medication is part of the claim, yes, you should collect 약제비 영수증 from the pharmacy. Clinic receipts and pharmacy receipts are usually separate documents.
Can Korean hospitals issue English medical documents?
Some larger hospitals can issue English documents, such as 영문 진단서. Smaller clinics may not. Ask 영문으로 발급 가능한가요?, meaning “Can it be issued in English?”
What should I do if my insurer rejects my Korean claim documents?
Ask the insurer for the exact missing item in writing. Then contact the clinic or hospital records desk and request that specific document. Do not guess. Guessing in claims paperwork is where time goes to wear a little black cloak.
Should I translate all Korean medical documents before submitting?
Not always. Some insurers need only key fields translated. Others require certified translation. Ask whether they need full translation, summary translation, or only specific document types translated.
Conclusion
The Korean claim counter becomes much less intimidating when you know which question each document answers. 진료비 영수증 proves payment. 진료비 세부산정내역서 explains the charges. 약제비 영수증 handles medicine. 진단서, 진료확인서, and 질병코드 connect the claim to medical reason.
The next step is simple and doable within 15 minutes: create a phone note titled “Korean insurance claim phrases” and save these three lines:
- 보험 청구용 서류 주세요.
- 진료비 영수증이랑 세부산정내역서 같이 주세요.
- 질병코드가 포함되어 있나요?
That little note will not make insurance charming. Nothing can fully do that. But it will make the next clinic visit clearer, calmer, and far less dependent on panic-smiling at a printer.
Last reviewed: 2026-06
