You need to inform yourself before traveling for medical purposes to South Korea!
Do you have any other questions about treatment in South Korea?
Can I get a doctor's opinion before traveling to South Korea?
Absolutely! Submit your request, and we’ll gather the required details and forward it to a recommended doctor. Reviews typically take 1-3 working days, subject to the doctor’s schedule.
Additionally, we offer an online second opinion service in partnership with the nation’s top hospitals. The data collection process remains consistent, whether you’re seeking an in-person visit or an online consultation. After the doctor’s evaluation, we’ll coordinate a 30-minute video consultation for you to discuss treatments and address any concerns.
Which hospital and/or doctor in South Korea would you recommend?
Over the course of 10 years, we have helped about 5,000 patients (as of August 2023) from the CIS countries, USA, Europe and other regions. Based on our experience and previous patient’s results, we select and recommend one or multiple medical institutions and particular doctors at it, depending on your diagnosis.
How to calculate my treatment cost and other expenses?
After evaluating your medical documents with the designated doctor, we’ll provide an initial estimate for your examination, treatment, and temporary accommodation to ensure no unexpected surprises. Please note, a complete medical history is essential for an accurate assessment.
Do you help with hotel reservations in South Korea?
Yes, we work with Lotte Hotels and other hotels groups, premium, business and economy class. On average, the accommodation cost at 3 star hotels in South Korea starts from $90 and more.
If the patient arrives for long-term treatment, we will help finding a studio apartment or other more affordable options near the selected hospital area.
Do Korean doctors speak English, or how can I communicate with them?
The majority of Korean doctors have undergone training in the USA, Europe, Japan and other countries, so many speak English. If you are fluent in English, you can try to communicate with professors directly. But for convenience and better understanding, we recommend that you trust the translators of Medical Avenue, who will accompany you every time you visit the hospital.
How do I move around once in South Korea?
After you decide to fly to South Korea for checkup, plastic surgery or medical treatment, we will help you with your transportation and other on-ground services.
On the day of your arrival to the Incheon Airport (main airport), Medical Avenue’s driver and, if required, an English-Korean translator, will meet you and take you to your place of residence or directly to the hospital (depending on your schedule).
For all further medical appointments or tours, our coordinators will help you with the transportation or give you additional recommendations.
How long do I need to stay in South Korea?
At Korean hospitals, outpatient examinations usually takes 5 to 7 days, depending on the number of patients the medical department is treating at that moment. The duration of the medical treatment will depend on the initial diagnosis, the patient’s condition and the treatment plan.
Diagnostic body screening (health checkup) usually takes 1 single visit, depending on the checkup program, it goes from 3 to 5 hours. Checkup results are usually ready 3 to 5 days after the screening program. If, according to the checkup results, a consultation with a specialist or additional tests are required, the period of stay may change.
For plastic surgery cases the period of stay varies according to the surgery or number of surgeries. It can go from 7 days for simple procedures, up to 20 days for bigger procedures and/or multiple surgeries.
If I have any questions after finishing treatment and returning home, how can I contact my doctor?
Medical Avenue coordinators are always in touch, you can write us your questions to us. We will contact your doctor immediately and go back with the proper answers.
After undergoing treatment or having a checkup, professors always give recommendations for regular examinations or additional follow up. Medical Avenue Coordinators will help you arrange follow-up appointments and examinations if necessary.
I have relatives / acquaintances living in South Korea. They will help me with getting treatment.
If your relatives and acquaintances know the system of multidisciplinary university hospitals, are confident in medical terms in Korean, constantly have free time, then yes, you can ask them for help.
If not, we recommend contacting professionals in their field such as Medical Avenue. The cost of treatment will not change, whether you applied through Medical Avenue or an acquaintance in South Korea, this is controlled by law. However, the quality of service will vary considerably. Certified, experienced coordinators are always on the patient’s side in case of inconvenient situations at the clinics, they are available 24/7 in case of urgent situations.
We strongly advise against contacting amateur translators, freelancers, individuals, etc.
Medical Avenue does not take commissions or other additional fees from patients for its services!
I am flying to Korea for treatment, what should I take with me?
- Take with you all medical records, discs, histological slides and paraffin blocks – everything related to the underlying disease.
- Also, do not forget the medications that you and your companion are taking on an ongoing basis.
- If you are flying for long-term treatment (more than 3 months), you must obtain a long-stay visa. In this case, we recommend taking 1 photo (for passport) and the originals of certificates confirming the relationship between the patient and the accompanying person.
- If you require specific foods, please bring them along. In South Korea, you can find all kinds of food products, but the cost is usually a bit higher. REMEMBER, transporting certain fresh products (like meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables) across borders is prohibited. If detected, customs officials may confiscate these items, and you could face a fine.
How about food in Korea?
Our coordinators have tried to compile a list of the best restaurants or the most suitable ones in Seoul based on our patient’s reviews. Ask for more information directly, once in South Korea!
When is the best time to fly to South Korea?
If there is no urgency for medical treatment, and you would like to combine treatment with pleasure, we recommend arriving in spring and autumn: the weather in South Korea is very comfortable in the spring (April-June). We also have the cherry blossom festival. In autumn there is also good weather and beautiful nature.
At the beginning of the year (January-February) there are discounts in department stores, some promotions for checkup programs, but it is cold due to strong winds and high humidity. Ah, ski resorts are very popular during that time!
Summer is stuffy and humid, but you can arrange a great vacation to the resort island of Jeju: swim at the sea, spend fun time in water parks. The rainy season goes from June to July!