Health Checkup in Korea — Premium Medical Screening Guide
Korean premium health checkups combine 50+ diagnostic tests in a single day at JCI-accredited hospitals, for a fraction of US prices. Popular with executives, medical tourists, and health-conscious international patients.
Package Tiers & Costs (USD)
| Tier | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $500–800 | Blood panel, urine, X-ray, ECG, abdominal ultrasound |
| Premium | $800–1,500 | Basic + gastroscopy + colonoscopy + cancer markers + cardiac ultrasound |
| Executive VIP | $2,000–5,000 | Premium + brain MRI + coronary CT + advanced tumor markers + private suite |
Top Hospitals for International Checkups
Samsung Medical Center
Premier executive health packages, 30+ yr history. JCI-accredited.
Severance Hospital (Yonsei)
Strong international program, Korea's first JCI-accredited hospital.
Asan Medical Center
Largest hospital in Korea, specialized cancer screening.
Seoul National University Hospital
Academic prestige, wide specialty referral network.
Preparation Checklist
- 8+ hours fasting before checkup (no food or water after 9 PM the night before).
- Stop aspirin or anticoagulants 7 days before endoscopy (consult your primary physician).
- Bring passport, list of current medications, and prior medical records (X-rays, MRIs on CD if available).
- Wear comfortable loose clothing. Leave jewelry at hotel.
- Remove nail polish — oximeter measurements require bare nails.
- Women: schedule outside menstrual period for accurate urine analysis and any gynecological exams.
- Bring a companion if having sedated endoscopy — you cannot drive or travel alone after.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get a health checkup in Korea?
Korea's premium health screening packages ("jonghap geomjin") combine 50+ tests in a single day — blood panels, cancer markers, ultrasound, endoscopy, CT, MRI — all done in a comfortable VIP setting with results interpreted by multi-specialty doctors. At USD 500–1,500, packages cost a fraction of US equivalents while being more thorough.
Which hospitals are best for international checkups?
The "Big Five" Seoul hospitals all have dedicated International Health Services: Samsung Medical Center, Severance Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), and Korea University Medical Center. All are JCI-accredited with English-speaking doctors and coordinators.
What does a typical checkup include?
Standard premium package: blood panel (40+ markers including complete CBC, liver, kidney, lipid, thyroid, diabetes, tumor markers for stomach/liver/pancreas/colon/prostate or ovarian), urine/stool analysis, chest X-ray, ECG, abdominal ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, brain MRI (optional), coronary CT (optional), body composition, DEXA bone density.
How much does it cost?
Basic package: $500–800. Premium package (with endoscopy, ultrasound, ECG): $800–1,500. Executive VIP package (with brain MRI, coronary CT, advanced cancer screening): $2,000–5,000. Compare with equivalent US-based comprehensive executive physical at $3,000–10,000.
How do I prepare?
Fasting: 8+ hours (no food or water after 9 PM the night before). Stop aspirin and anticoagulants 7 days before endoscopy (consult your primary doctor). Bring: passport, list of current medications, prior medical records if relevant. Wear comfortable clothing; remove nail polish for oximeter readings.
How long does the checkup take?
Premium packages: 4–6 hours same-day (7 AM to 1 PM typical). Executive packages with MRI/CT: 6–8 hours or split across 2 days. Results consultation: same day for major findings, written report 3–5 days later.
What about follow-up if abnormalities are found?
International Health Service teams provide written English reports with clear recommendations. If further testing is needed, they can schedule it before you leave Korea (typically 2–5 extra days). For major findings, many international patients opt to have treatment in Korea due to cost advantages.
Can I book without a medical visa?
Yes for short-term checkups — visitors on a standard tourist visa (up to 90 days for most nationalities) can receive a health checkup without a medical visa. The medical visa (C-3-3 / G-1-10) is required only for treatment requiring 90+ days or hospitalization.