The cost of heart valve replacement in South Korea typically ranges from $46,200 to $60,000. Prices vary depending on the type of valve (mechanical or bioprosthetic), the hospital, the surgeon’s experience, and whether the procedure is minimally invasive or open surgery. In the United States, the average cost is $200,000 (per AHA). This means heart valve replacement in South Korea is about 73% less expensive than in the U.S.
South Korean hospitals usually include pre-op tests, surgery, anesthesia, the heart valve prosthesis, ICU care, medications, and follow-up visits in their packages. In the U.S., the price often covers only the procedure itself, with separate bills for the prosthesis, anesthesia, ICU, and aftercare. Always confirm exactly what’s included with each hospital before booking.
Why do patients choose the Republic of Korea for heart valve replacement?
Access advanced Heart Valve Replacement solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Heart Valve Replacement | from $46,150 | from $12,000 | from $70,000 |
| Valvuloplasty | - | from $15,000 | from $40,000 |
| Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) | - | from $23,000 | from $40,000 |
| Surgery for acquired valvular heart disease | - | from $22,000 | from $55,000 |
| Replacement of the aortic valve | - | from $12,260 | from $35,000 |
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Remember, each patient"s recovery is unique and may vary based on their health condition and the complexity of the heart valve replacement.
What patients like:
What patients don't like:
When considering Heart Valve Replacement, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
This procedure addresses issues in heart valves caused by disease, damage, or degeneration, restoring proper blood flow and heart function.
This procedure focuses on repairing or modifying existing heart valves to improve function and blood flow.
A minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open properly.
This procedure involves replacing a diseased aortic valve with a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve to improve heart function.
Currency | South Korean Won (you also can pay for services in dollars) |
Best period for the trip | April, May & June or September, October & November. |
Language | Korean (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
Visa | none required for stays under 90 days or less |
Time difference with Europe | 9 hours |
Time difference with the USA | 9 hours |
Capital | Seoul |
Medical tourism center | Seoul |
Popular resorts | Gangwon-do, Gyeongju, Boseong, Jeju |
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Korean government. The Korean authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 1 billion a year for medical tourists attraction.
According to Mark Britnell, hospitals dominate the health system. 94% of hospitals are privately owned.
In South Korea, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
Today, South Korea has visa-free agreements with 112 states. None visa is required for stays under 90 days or less. To stay longer in this country, you need a visa. What states need a visa for treatment in South Korea and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to South Korea require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes:
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