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.
South Korea offers high-quality multiple sclerosis care featuring specialised diagnostics and disease-modifying therapies. Treatment centres in Seoul provide JCI-accredited facilities and digital medical records. This compares well with Australia's specialist neurologists. However, Korea offers additional options like arterial stem cell therapy at specialised clinics.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea's leadership in digital health helps international patients. Facilities like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital use the BESTcare digital system to reduce medical errors. This integration simplifies sharing MRI scans and treatment reports with Australian GPs for follow-up care.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that quality depends on finding an experienced neurologist and securing detailed English treatment summaries. Success in Korea often involves choosing clinics that provide MRI results and clear medication handovers for local Australian doctors.
South Korean clinics provide over 11 disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Specialists at JCI-accredited hubs like Severance Hospital offer high-efficacy infusions including Ocrevus and Tysabri. Neurological diagnostics integrate MRI and Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) to monitor disease progression.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea specialises in high-volume neurological care. Severance Hospital alone manages 4,000,000 patients annually. This scale allows doctors like Dr Kim Seung Min to participate in global clinical trials. Patients benefit from doctors who see many complex neurodegenerative cases.
Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) is a specialised option for aggressive multiple sclerosis in South Korea. Major JCI-accredited hospitals in Seoul provide this immune-rebooting procedure. The process involves harvesting stem cells and intensive chemotherapy. This happens under strict Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regulations.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea is known for major hospitals, but clinics like RE:YOUTH limit intake. They see only 2 patients daily. This focus allows for intensive monitoring that high-volume hospitals may not provide. Samsung Medical Center handles over 2,000,000 cases annually. This offers massive clinical depth for complex immunological reboots.
Patient Consensus: Patients say it is essential to distinguish between stem cell injections and full HSCT. Many suggest confirming that neurology and haematology teams work together in Seoul.
South Korean hospitals manage acute multiple sclerosis relapses using high-dose intravenous steroids and plasmapheresis within JCI-accredited facilities. Specialists typically prescribe 1,000 mg of methylprednisolone daily for 3–5 days to reduce inflammation. Clinics in Seoul also provide specialised neuro-rehabilitation to restore function after neurological deficits.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Samsung Medical Center and Severance Hospital consistently rank in Newsweek's World’s Best Hospitals. These centres serve 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 patients annually. This massive case volume means neurologists like Dr Kwang Ho Lee manage complex relapses daily. For Australians, this level of clinical experience exceeds what is typical in smaller domestic units.
Patient Consensus: Patients find that reaching a major tertiary hospital quickly is vital for urgent steroid treatment. They suggest bringing a symptom timeline and previous MRI scans to speed up the assessment in Korea.
International patients undergoing multiple sclerosis assessment in South Korea follow a structured neurology-led pathway. This typically includes a physical exam, brain MRI with contrast, and specialised testing like lumbar puncture. Diagnostics occur at JCI-accredited Seoul hospitals, often concluding within 1 to 3 weeks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea's digitised healthcare system provides a distinct advantage for international patients. Clinics like Seoul National University Hospital have been fully digital since 2004. This allows for seamless transfers of high-resolution imaging and reports. Local specialists can review digital history quickly. This often reduces the number of days needed for the initial assessment phase.
Patient Consensus: Patients note the process requires several steps rather than one visit. Bringing prior MRI scans and a clear symptom timeline helps avoid repeating basic tests in Seoul or Incheon.
South Korean specialists provide holistic support by integrating neurology with rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care. Major JCI-accredited hubs like Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center employ neurology teams. These teams coordinate with rehabilitation specialists to manage symptoms and improve daily quality of life.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While South Korean centres are known for digital efficiency, large university hospitals offer comprehensive support. For example, Severance Hospital serves 4,000,000 patients annually. These institutions house neurology, rehabilitation, and ophthalmology under one roof. This allows medical records to be shared instantly between departments for a unified treatment plan.
Patient Consensus: Patients find Korean medical care exceptionally precise. However, they often need to ask specialists for specific referrals to physiotherapy or nutrition. Many recommend confirming upfront if the neurologist manages the full care team in South Korea.