Data shows that more than 2,300 clinic-level medical institutions in Seoul did not submit any health insurance claims during the first half of this year.
Most of these cases are concentrated among plastic surgery and general practice clinics in the Gangnam district, suggesting that many clinics are focused on cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, which are not covered by health insurance.
According to information provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to Rep. Baek Jong-heon (Busan, Geumjeong) of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee on October 13, a total of 2,304 clinics did not file any health insurance claims in the first six months of 2025.
This represents an increase of about 50% compared with 1,540 clinics in 2022.
Most clinics that have never submitted health insurance claims are orthopaedic and general practice clinics. In Seoul's Gangnam district, 79% of orthopaedic clinics (358 of 452) and 42% of general practitioners (311 of 741) reported no health insurance billing.
While general practitioners typically provide basic medical care and orthopaedic surgeons treat conditions like fractures or scars and can claim insurance, those with no health insurance claims are likely focused primarily on cosmetic and plastic surgery, according to Representative Baek’s office.