Clarity at the start prevents disputes at the end
Quick answer
An agency-hospital agreement should cover at least ten items: each party's scope, how case attribution is recorded, payment cycle and method, billing documentation, pricing and discount policy, revision policy, complaint handling, media and image usage, patient data protection, and termination terms.
Write the case-attribution clause first: most disputes come from ambiguity over whether a case came from the agency or the hospital's own channels. The workable method is a pre-agreed registration format — client name and appointment date submitted in writing before arrival, with written confirmation returned.
The payment clause should fix the cycle, transfer method, currency, who bears international transfer fees, and required documentation. Without it, payment cycles quietly stretch until the agency's cash flow breaks — a more common cause of closure than lack of clients.
The pricing clause should state that the hospital will not quote the same client a lower price through another channel. When that happens, clients feel exploited and the trust you built collapses instantly.
Revision and complaint handling are the most skipped and most protective clauses. Specify the escalation channel, the hospital's response deadline, the responsible owner, and the path when a client is unhappy with results. Clear process means less reputational damage.
Two more clauses matter today: media and image usage (who may use before-and-after photos, under what consent) and patient data protection (where it is stored, who can access it, when it is deleted). Both are legal and trust issues at once.
Finally, termination: include a notice period and a wind-down clause for cases still in progress. Clients who already had surgery still need follow-up and must not be abandoned because two companies stopped talking.
Bilingual Korean-English is common, with a clause stating which version prevails in case of conflict. Have a legal specialist review before signing.
Treat it as a warning sign. If you must proceed, secure at least a written memorandum covering scope, case registration and payment so evidence exists if a dispute arises.
Exclusivity may improve terms but concentrates risk: if quality drops or the relationship sours, you have no alternative to offer clients.
Use your documented case records, invoice per the contracted cycle, and pause new referrals if arrears exceed your tolerance. Never let receivables grow beyond control.
3 points • reviewed 2026-09-02
Reviewed and last updated: 2026-09-02
2 sources • every claim is traceable
https://www.kotra.or.kr/
https://www.investkorea.org/
Last updated: 2026-09-02 · This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before making treatment decisions.
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