Price guide · 침 치료
How Much Does Acupuncture Cost in Apgujeong and Gangnam?
An insured acupuncture visit costs about 15,000 to 30,000 KRW out of pocket in Korea, while non-covered options such as pharmacopuncture cost 10,000 to 50,000 KRW per session.
Price snapshot
- Treatment: Acupuncture
- Korean name: 침 치료
- Options compared: 8
- VAT: Usually included in quoted cosmetic prices; ask
- Checked: October 2026
Acupuncture prices by option
| Option | Typical KRW | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insured visit, typical total (exam, needling, moxa or cupping) | ₩15,000–₩30,000 | NHIS copay; one part of the source puts it at 10,000-20,000 KRW |
| First-visit exam fee, copay | ₩5,000–₩12,000 | |
| Standard acupuncture, copay | ₩5,000–₩15,000 | |
| Electroacupuncture, copay | ₩5,000–₩12,000 | |
| Pharmacopuncture (bee venom, herbal extract), non-covered | ₩10,000–₩50,000 | Per session |
| Motion-style acupuncture, non-covered | ₩20,000–₩80,000 | |
| Dochim (blade needle), non-covered | ₩30,000–₩100,000 | |
| Thread embedding, non-covered | ₩50,000–₩200,000 |
At 1 USD = 1,325.06 KRW (YCharts reference rate for 23 October 2026, checked 28 October 2026), an insured visit at 15,000 to 30,000 KRW is about US$11 to US$23.
What changes the price
- NHIS enrollment: the copay figures only apply to enrollees
- Which non-covered add-ons are used in the session
- First visit versus follow-up
- Number of body areas treated
What a quote usually includes
- Exam, needling and basic moxa or cupping in an insured visit
Costs people forget
- Pharmacopuncture or thread embedding
- Herbal medicine prescriptions
- Chuna manual therapy if added
How to avoid overpaying
- Visitors without NHIS pay the full fee, not the copay; ask for that price at reception
- Ask before any non-covered add-on is used so the bill does not surprise you
- If you are treating one problem, ask how many sessions the doctor expects so you can budget the course
Sources
- isclinic.co.kr: acupuncture cost 2026 (insured and non-covered)(checked 2026-10)
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices change often; confirm with the clinic before booking. General information only, not medical advice. A doctor confirms what suits you at consultation.
Acupuncture cost questions
How much will one acupuncture visit cost me with NHIS?
Most insured visits come to about 15,000 to 30,000 KRW once the exam, needling and moxa or cupping are added together.
Is bee venom pharmacopuncture covered?
No. Pharmacopuncture is non-covered and costs about 10,000 to 50,000 KRW per session.
What does thread embedding cost compared with regular acupuncture?
Thread embedding is non-covered at 50,000 to 200,000 KRW, several times the cost of an insured needling visit.
Is the first visit more expensive than later ones?
The first visit adds an exam fee of about 5,000 to 12,000 KRW in copay terms.
I am a tourist without Korean insurance. What will I pay?
You pay the full scheduled fee rather than the copay. Ask the clinic for the uninsured price before treatment.
Plan your visit
Get a written quote
Tell us the treatment and your dates. We send prices in KRW, what is included, and which clinics near Apgujeong Station can see you.