# Is the median or the minimum the better reference?

> The median is usually the better reference for a typical non-covered price, because half of disclosed prices are below it and half above.

The minimum and maximum show the extremes, which can reflect unusual cases.

Written by the Korea Non-covered Medical Price Statistics editorial team on October 21, 2026. Canonical address: https://kmedprice.org/articles/median-or-minimum.

## What does the median tell you?

The middle price, which is not pulled up or down by a few extreme prices.

## What do the quartiles add?

The middle half of prices lies between the first and third quartiles.

## Why not rely on the minimum?

A minimum can reflect a different package or a rare case.

## Why does the number of institutions matter?

Distributions from few institutions are less stable; groups under five are hidden.

## How should I use the distribution with a quote?

Check where the quote sits and ask what is included if it is far from the median.

## What should you read next?

- [Why do we show price ranges, not hospital names?](https://kmedprice.org/articles/why-ranges-not-names)
- [Does a higher price mean better care?](https://kmedprice.org/articles/higher-price-better-care)
- [Non-covered prices by hospital type](https://kmedprice.org/statistics/by-hospital-type)
- [Non-covered price trends by year](https://kmedprice.org/statistics/trend)

## Where do these numbers come from?

- [Non-covered medical fee disclosure (by item and institution)](https://www.hira.or.kr/npay/index.do) - Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA)
- [Consumer price index](https://kosis.kr/) - Statistics Korea (KOSIS)