However why fly all the way in which to South Korea for medical care? Haemin Lee, CEO of Seoul-based journey planner Creatrip, says it in the end comes all the way down to price and effectivity. Whereas sufferers in lots of international locations face referrals, insurance coverage approvals and lengthy wait occasions, many Korean screening centres provide full complete well being checks in a single go to. Even higher: healthcare in South Korea, ranked second finest on the earth by the 2025 CEOWorld Healthcare Index, is extremely inexpensive because of its authorities regulation of medical costs. “The distinction is critical,” says Lee. “In lots of circumstances, the worth of a single MRI within the US can cowl a complete full-body screening in Korea… Even after factoring in airfare, it could actually nonetheless be extra inexpensive.” Other than the enchantment of its high-rated healthcare and decrease prices, Hyeonah Hong, Head of Division at Korea Medical Institute (KMI), says “Korea has a well-established prevention-focused healthcare system, offering an atmosphere the place illnesses will be detected early.”
