Asan Medical Center
The cost of foraminotomy in South Korea typically ranges from $11,000 to $20,000. Prices can vary based on the hospital, the neurosurgeon’s experience, the type of anesthesia, and whether the surgery is performed as an open or minimally invasive procedure. In the United States, the average cost is $27,500 (per AANS). Foraminotomy in South Korea is generally about 44% less than in the U.S.
South Korean packages usually cover pre-op imaging (MRI or CT), the surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s fees, operating room charges, hospital stay, post-op medications, and follow-up visits. In the U.S., many of these are billed separately—especially imaging, anesthesia, and follow-up care. Always confirm which services are included with your chosen clinic.
Why do patients choose the Republic of Korea for foraminotomy?
Access advanced Foraminotomy solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Foraminotomy | from $11,000 | from $1,690 | from $12,000 |
| Kyphoplasty | from $13,500 | from $9,000 | from $8,500 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Foraminotomy upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Foraminotomy and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Foraminotomy journey.
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2-3: Pre-Operation
Day 4: Surgery
Day 5-7: Post-Operation
Week 1-4: Rehabilitation
Week 4-8: Rehabilitation Continued
Please note that this is a general timeline and individual experiences may vary.
Dr. Han Yeongmin is a neurosurgeon (MD, PhD). He is Medical Director and Director of the Neurosurgery Center at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital. He treats cerebrovascular disease and peripheral nerve disorders. He also specializes in brain tumors and skull base surgery. Conditions include stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and moyamoya disease. He performs PEN, PNP, and SNB. He also offers microscopic and endoscopic discectomy, artificial disc replacement, MIS-TLIF/minimally invasive spinal fusion, and vertebroplasty.
He earned his MD and PhD from The Catholic University of Korea. He served as a visiting professor in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix, Arizona, USA). He also served at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (Seattle, USA).
His publications include co-authorship of Chapter 52 of the Textbook of Korean Cerebrovascular Surgery. He also co-authored Acoustic Neuroma Oncology. He is a full member of KNS, KSCVS, KSBS, KBTS, KNTS, KSNS, and KSPNS.
Introduced anterior cervical foraminotomy to Korea first – Jaehyeon Lim specializes in minimally invasive spinal procedures at Nanoori Hospital.
Prof. Jang specializes in microscopic spinal surgery and has published research on foraminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation.
Dr. Kim specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, including foraminotomy, with extensive training in Germany and Korea.
When considering Foraminotomy, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat vertebral compression fractures and restore spinal alignment.
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:
According to ASPS statistics, 17.7 mln cosmetic surgeries and 5.8 mln reconstructive procedures have been performed in 2018. Among cosmetic procedures the most popular are:
Tumor removal, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision, hand surgery are the most common operations in the context of reconstructive surgery.