"Our Neighborhood 50,000 Won but Average 30,000 Won?"... Flu Test Fees Vary Greatly

Influenza Test Costs Vary by Hospital
Average Price 27,362 KRW, Median 30,000 KRW
Non-reimbursable Items Like Feramiflu Also Not Mandatorily Disclosed
HIRA Discloses Fees for 623 Non-reimbursable Treatments

As influenza (flu) rages during the winter season, many patients reportedly express surprise upon hearing the testing costs when they visit hospitals with flu symptoms. Influenza tests are non-reimbursable services not covered by health insurance, so costs vary from hospital to hospital. Since prices can be checked in advance by medical institution, it may be helpful to review the costs before visiting a hospital.

Children and guardians are crowding at a pediatric specialty hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

According to the 'Non-disclosed Medical Fee Information' from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) on the 27th, the average cost of on-site influenza testing at nationwide clinic-level medical institutions was 27,362 KRW, with a median price of 30,000 KRW. By city and province, the median price was 30,000 KRW in ▲Seoul ▲Gyeonggi ▲Incheon ▲Gangwon ▲Chungnam ▲Gyeongbuk ▲Daegu, 27,500 KRW in ▲Sejong, and 25,000 KRW in other regions.

Although price differences for influenza tests between hospitals are generally not large, some medical institutions were found to charge up to 50,000 KRW. Prices by medical institution can be checked in advance on the HIRA website or via the mobile app 'Health-eum' before visiting. The injectable influenza treatment Feramiflu, administered like an IV drip, is also a non-reimbursable item. However, it is not yet subject to mandatory disclosure of medical fees, so some hospitals may publish prices on their websites. Another treatment, the oral Tamiflu, is covered by health insurance, so patient co-payments are under 10,000 KRW regardless of the hospital.

Meanwhile, HIRA currently discloses non-reimbursable medical fees for a total of 623 items, including influenza tests. Patients can check fees for treatments such as manual therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and implants at all hospital and clinic-level medical institutions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.