Samsung Medical Center
Samsung Medical Center
Republic of Korea, Seoul
Hyung Jin Shin
32 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Multiple sclerosis treatment cost in the Republic of Korea typically includes complex diagnostics of multiple sclerosis ranging from $1,700 to $3,200 and brain MRI with contrast which runs $700 to $1,200. Primary options like medication treatment for multiple sclerosis cost $14,500 to $34,500. Expenses depend on the therapeutic approach, disease stage, and clinic tier. Patients often save 30-50% compared to the US. Seoul and Cheonan are the primary medical hubs.
Typical Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Costs in Republic of Korea
Bookimed Expert Insight: For patients seeking advanced neurological care, JCI-accredited centers like Samsung Medical Center provide presidential-standard infrastructure. Those requiring specialized rehabilitation should consider Severance Hospital, which treats over 400,000 inpatients annually. Patients interested in experimental approaches can find unique arterial stem cell therapy at RE:YOUTH Clinic in Cheonan. Leading experts like Dr. Byung-hee Lee offer specialized interventional neurology protocols for complex cases.
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Plasmapheresis | from $4,200 | from $1,200 | from $2,000 |
| Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) | from $18,200 | from $10,000 | from $35,000 |
| Multiple sclerosis rehabilitation | from $15,200 | from $3,000 | from $10,000 |
| Medication treatment for multiple sclerosis | from $14,500 | from $2,500 | from $2,000 |
| Therapeutic Apheresis | - | from $1,350 | - |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Multiple sclerosis treatment and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
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Professor Kwang Ho Lee brings neurology expertise to Samsung Medical Center.
Dr. Lee is a founding member of the Korean Society of Interventional Neurology and the Korean Stroke Society, with extensive contributions to cerebrovascular research.
Dr. Kim Seung Min is a neurologist at Severance Hospital.
The doctor is a leading neurologist in South Korea, specializing in epilepsy treatment. Currently, the doctor serves as the Head of the Neurology Department at Yonsei Severance Hospital.
The doctor graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and is an active member of several professional organizations, including The Korean Epilepsy Society, The Korean Neurological Association, and The Korea Medical Association.
The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has approved over 11 disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis. These include high-efficacy infusions like Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) and Tysabri, alongside oral modulators such as Gilenya and Mayzent for managing relapses and progression.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While several DMTs are approved, South Korea's therapeutic landscape heavily favors large multidisciplinary centers like Samsung Medical Center or Severance Hospital. These facilities handle millions of patients annually and provide the specialized MRI and VEP diagnostics required for DMT monitoring. Patients should note that newer infusions like Ocrevus are often reserved for cases where first-line interferons failed.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that securing insurance approval for newer oral or infusion DMTs can take 6–12 months. Many report starting with older injectable therapies while waiting for documentation to support a switch to high-efficacy medications.
International patients can enroll in autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (AHSCT) for multiple sclerosis in South Korea, though access often depends on residency status or participation in clinical trials. Facilities like RE:YOUTH (YONSEI BH Arterial Stemcell Clinic) specialize in advanced regenerative protocols for global patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While major centers like Asan Medical Center are highly ranked globally, international patients often find faster enrollment at specialized clinics like RE:YOUTH. These smaller, focused institutions specifically design their patient flow and medical coordination to accommodate foreigners without the local insurance requirements often seen at large state-level hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that navigating major hospital systems may require local residency proof. Many recommend contacting international departments directly to clarify if English-speaking support is available during the intensive chemotherapy phase.
Standard washout periods for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) before AHSCT in South Korea typically range from 6 weeks to 6 months. Durations depend on drug half-life and immune impact, with high-potency drugs like natalizumab often requiring 12 weeks to minimize infectious risks like progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients seeking AHSCT in Seoul should prioritize JCI-accredited centers like Severance Hospital or Samsung Medical Center. These facilities handle massive patient volumes, with Samsung alone treating over 11,000 outpatients daily. This high-capacity environment allows neurologists like Dr. Kim Seung Min to implement sophisticated bridging protocols. Our data shows these leading centers often integrate advanced diagnostics, such as brain MRI with contrast and OCT, to monitor disease stability throughout the delicate washout phase.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that washout schedules are highly personalized based on their specific medication history. They often note that starting the process early with a specialized neuro-transplant team helps manage the emotional stress of potential flares during the waiting period.
Seoul clinics perform SphenoCath pulsed radiofrequency and Botox injections for MS-related trigeminal neuralgia as outpatient procedures. Patients typically experience a same-day discharge following a 10 to 30 minute procedure. Clinical monitoring ranges from 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on the specific technique and patient mobility.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While these are outpatient procedures, the sheer scale of Seoul's top facilities like Samsung Medical Center or SNUH means high patient volumes. Samsung alone treats over 2,000,000 patients annually. This high repetition contributes to specialized neurologists like Dr. Kwang Ho Lee maintaining refined injection protocols for complex MS cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to arrange transportation because driving is not allowed after the procedure. Some emphasize the need for a 1 to 4 hour observation window if they have mobility issues.
Major South Korean tertiary hospitals provide professional English interpretation through dedicated International Healthcare Centers and increasingly offer telemedicine follow-up. Institutions like Severance Hospital and Samsung Medical Center employ bilingual coordinators to manage consultations, while remote monitoring via digital platforms facilitates post-treatment care for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While hospitals like Samsung Medical Center serve over 2,000,000 patients annually, high volume means English support is often strictly limited to clinical hours. Patients should confirm if their `international patient` status includes 24/7 digital access, as some portals require pre-enrollment to bypass domestic-only restrictions.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while interpreters are excellent during surgeries, daily ward communication often requires translation apps. Many suggest testing hospital-specific telemed portals before discharge to ensure technical compatibility for remote follow-ups.
Major medical hubs for multiple sclerosis in South Korea are concentrated in Seoul within the Big 5 hospital network. These JCI-accredited and KOIHA-certified centers, including Samsung Medical Center and Severance Hospital, provide dedicated neurology departments with English-speaking staff and advanced diagnostic infrastructure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear distinction between multidisciplinary giants and niche clinics in Korea. While Seoul’s Big 5 hospitals like SNUH and Asan serve thousands of daily outpatients with standard disease-modifying therapies, RE:YOUTH in Cheonan offers a highly specialized arterial stem cell approach. Patients seeking cutting-edge alternatives often choose these smaller, tech-focused clinics that bypass traditional systemic delivery for direct organ targeting.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that sticking to Seoul’s top tier hospitals ensures the best English support through international clinics. While doctors often speak fluent English, having a translator app as a backup is recommended for interactions with general nursing staff.