Per-scan prices are covered in our cost guides. This guide zooms out to the whole-trip budget for medical tourism in China — the medical costs plus the surrounding travel costs — so you can judge whether a trip makes financial sense overall. It complements the broader Medical Tourism China guide.
The two cost layers
Medical costs (the reason you come) and trip costs (the overhead of travelling). For a single routine scan, the trip overhead usually outweighs the saving — which is why medical travel makes sense mainly when you are already travelling or combining several things.
Medical costs at a glance
- MRI — coordinated from $250, quoted per case.
- CT — coordinated from $250, quoted per case.
- PET-CT — typically from around $600.
- Specialist second opinion — from $400.
- Executive health check — from $550.
Each price covers coordination plus a typical hospital fee; the exact figure is quoted per case. See how pricing works.
Trip costs to budget for
- Flights — the biggest variable; far cheaper if you are already travelling.
- Accommodation — a few days near the hospital district.
- Visa — often none needed for a short visit (visa-free transit); a medical visa for longer stays.
- Local transport & meals — modest in Beijing.
- Translation / report support — included in our imaging coordination.
When the maths works
The saving most clearly beats the trip overhead for higher-cost studies (e.g. PET-CT), for bundling several investigations into one visit, or when you are travelling anyway. For one routine scan in isolation, a domestic option is often more sensible — we will tell you honestly which applies to you.
A note on comparison figures
Country and per-scan comparisons are indicative ranges drawn from public price guidance and published private rates; they vary by facility, region and date, and exchange rates move. Treat them as order-of-magnitude, not a quote — you receive a written estimate before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does medical treatment in China cost overall? Medical costs are typically a fraction of Western private rates; the deciding factor for a trip is usually the travel overhead, not the medical fee.
Is it cheaper to go to China for a scan? For a single routine scan, often not once flights are counted; for high-cost studies or bundled investigations, frequently yes.
Are hospital fees included in your prices? Our “from” prices cover coordination plus a typical hospital fee; the exact total is quoted per case.
This article is for informational purposes only. China MedPass does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All clinical decisions are made independently by licensed hospital physicians. Pricing is an estimate; you receive a written quote before committing.