Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in Republic of Korea: Our Best Clinics and Costs 2026

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is approved and available in the Republic of Korea for treating multiple sclerosis. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) regulates its use for both relapsing-remitting and primary progressive forms. Patients access treatment at JCI-accredited tertiary centers like Severance Hospital in Seoul.

• Approval status: MFDS initially approved intravenous Ocrevus with expanded subcutaneous options following in 2024.
• Provider network: Available at major `Big 5` hospitals including Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center.
• Insurance coverage: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) covers treatment costs for eligible domestic patients.
• Out-of-pocket cost: International patients typically pay $18,200 to $23,400 per infusion session.

Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea is a top 10 global destination for complex neurology. Severance Hospital alone manages 1.6 million outpatients annually with advanced electronic health record systems. This high volume often leads to faster diagnostic processing than in many Western healthcare systems.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that while NHIS coverage is available, the pre-authorization process often takes 2 to 3 months. Many recommend traveling to Seoul specialists early to avoid technical delays in rural clinics.

South Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) covers Ocrevus for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS) and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). Coverage typically requires a specialist diagnosis, negative Hepatitis B screening, and documented disease activity. Registered foreign residents staying over 6 months are eligible for identical benefits as Korean citizens.

• Clinical criteria: Requires confirmed RMS or PPMS diagnosis by a certified neurologist.
• Treatment history: Coverage usually applies after failure of 2 first-line disease-modifying therapies.
• Disease activity: Patients must show MRI progression or 1+ relapse within 1 year.
• Health screening: Mandatory negative Hepatitis B surface antigen test results before treatment.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While NHIS provides a robust safety net, the initial approval through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) portal is data-intensive. Hospitals like Severance, which handles 1.6 million outpatients annually, have dedicated international departments to manage these complex HIRA submissions. Success often depends on having a complete Digital Medical Record (EMR) of all previous medications and MRI scans from your home country to satisfy strict Korean eligibility rules.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that while insurance covers 70–90% of costs, the 3-month administrative wait for approval requires patience. Many recommend joining local support groups to stay updated on frequent HIRA regulation changes regarding Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score requirements.

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is administered as an intravenous infusion twice per year following an initial loading period. Maintenance doses typically follow every six months. In the Republic of Korea, JCI-accredited centers like Severance Hospital provide these treatments using standardized clinical protocols and specialized medical monitoring.

• Loading schedule: The first dose is split into two infusions given 2 weeks apart.
• Maintenance timing: Patients receive a single full infusion every 6 months for ongoing care.
• Infusion duration: Sessions last 2 to 4 hours depending on the patient tolerance levels.
• Premedication protocol: Clinicians administer corticosteroids and antihistamines 30 to 60 minutes before starting.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea stands out for high-volume care, with Severance Hospital serving 1.6 million outpatients annually. This massive scale ensures clinical teams are highly efficient at managing infusion protocols. While the standard price is $18,200, it is significantly lower than the US average of $80,000.

Patient Consensus: Many patients recommend aggressive hydration before the appointment to minimize minor reactions. Bringing entertainment is helpful, as the combined infusion and required observation period often exceeds 5 hours.

The most common side effects of Ocrevus include infusion-related reactions (34-40% of cases) and respiratory tract infections. Patients frequently report throat irritation, skin rashes, and headaches during the 2-5 hour sessions. These symptoms are typically mild and most common during the initial loading dose regimen.

• Infusion reactions: Itching, flushing, fever, and nausea occurring within 24 hours of treatment.
• Respiratory infections: Increased frequency of common colds, bronchitis, and nasopharyngitis.
• Skin condition: Herpes infections, including cold sores and shingles, affect approximately 14% of patients.
• Secondary effects: Back pain, limb pain, and fatigue are common maintenance phase reports.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea's medical landscape offers a safety advantage through mandatory IgG level monitoring. Centers like Severance Hospital manage over 1.6 million outpatients, providing high-volume expertise in avoiding hypogammaglobulinemia. Patients save 74% compared to US costs while receiving care at Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited facilities.

Patient Consensus: Many patients describe brief chills or throat tightness during the first two infusions. Most find that aggressive hydration and premedicating with antihistamines successfully prevent severe reactions.

Patients starting Ocrevus in the Republic of Korea must complete live vaccinations at least 4 weeks before their first infusion. Non-live vaccines require a 2-week lead time. These windows ensure the immune system responds before medication depletes B cells. Mandatory Hepatitis B screening is required.

• Live vaccines: Complete MMR and varicella doses 4 weeks before treatment starts.
• Non-live vaccines: Administer flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal shots 2 weeks before initiation.
• Hepatitis B: Undergo mandatory screening at centers like Severance Hospital before the first dose.
• Immunity testing: Request antibody titres for measles and rubella if your history is unclear.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While US costs average $80,000, South Korean JCI-accredited centers like Severance Hospital or Ewha Womans University Medical Center offer Ocrevus for $18,200 to $23,400. These hospitals often provide integrated B-cell monitoring and MRI tracking. This ensures vaccination timing aligns perfectly with your specific MS activity levels.

Patient Consensus: Most patients recommend confirming immunity status early because booster shots given during therapy are often less effective. Many suggest scheduling routine annual flu shots exactly midway between the six-monthly Ocrevus infusions.