What's Included in a Remote Review Written Opinion? (2026 Guide)

A remote review written opinion covers staging and treatability, recommended treatment with expected duration, cost ranges by item, a comparison of 3 hospitals matching your conditions, package estimates, and a list of any additional tests needed.

Key Takeaways

• A remote review (pre-arrival review) written opinion is a document in which medical staff at a Korean tertiary hospital cross-check your imaging and pathology records and provide a written opinion—it does not replace an in-person diagnosis or prescription.
• The written opinion covers staging and treatability, recommended treatment and expected duration of stay, cost ranges by item, a comparison of 3 hospitals matching your conditions, package estimates, and a list of any additional tests needed.
• The review fee is KRW 1,000,000, and if you sign a treatment contract after receiving the written opinion, this amount is deducted from your treatment costs.
• You will receive the written opinion in your language within 5 business days from the date all your records are complete, and if the hospital exceeds this timeframe, the review fee is fully refunded.
• If you've inquired about heavy-ion or proton therapy, the written opinion will clearly state one of three answers: 'applicable,' 'further review needed,' or 'not applicable.'

What exactly is included in the written opinion?

• Direct answer: The written opinion is a document made up of six components: staging assessment, treatment method and duration, cost ranges, hospital comparison, package estimates, and a list of additional tests needed.
• 1) A written opinion on staging and treatability. It clearly states whether surgery is possible in your current condition, whether other treatment is needed first, or whether a determination cannot be made without additional testing.
• 2) Recommended treatment method and expected duration of stay. It explains the typical sequence—surgery, radiation, or medication—and how long you would need to stay in Korea.
• 3) Cost ranges broken down by tests, surgery, hospitalization, and medication. Costs are itemized separately so you can see exactly where the money goes.
• 4) A comparison of 3 hospitals matching your cancer type, stage, budget, and language requirements. Hospital names are provided only within the written opinion itself—since Korean medical law restricts medical tourism agencies from advertising specific medical professionals or institutions, hospital names and comparative performance are not listed on public pages.
• 5) An estimate for the relevant package (Basic or VIP).
• 6) A list of any additional tests needed. If your current records are insufficient for a full determination, this section specifies what further testing is needed and where to get it.

What is the process for receiving the written opinion?

• Direct answer: There are 4 steps from uploading records to delivery of the written opinion, taking 5 business days from the date all records are complete.
• Step 1, Upload Records — Upload your imaging (DICOM), pathology, and diagnostic records, and answer a medical history questionnaire. Language doesn't matter.
• Step 2, Organization and Translation — Your uploaded records are organized and translated into Korean before being passed to medical staff.
• Step 3, Medical Staff Review — Oncology and surgical staff at a tertiary hospital cross-check the same records and prepare a single written opinion.
• Step 4, Delivery of the Written Opinion — You receive the written opinion in your language within 5 business days. If any records are missing, a coordinator will contact you first, and that waiting period is not counted within the 5 business days.
• After receiving the written opinion, you can schedule a 30-minute video consultation with medical staff and a coordinator to go over the written opinion and the estimate together.

FAQ — Can I just receive the written opinion without coming to Korea?

Yes. The written opinion is a complete, standalone document, and you may use it as a reference when consulting with doctors in your home country. There is no penalty for not signing a treatment contract. However, the KRW 1,000,000 review fee is non-refundable once the service is complete—that is, once you receive the written opinion.

FAQ — Do you provide hospital rankings or tell me which hospital is best?

No, hospitals are not ranked. This is because Korean medical law restricts medical tourism agencies from advertising specific medical professionals or institutions. Instead, we compare 3 hospitals that match your cancer type, stage, budget, and language needs within the written opinion, and the final choice is yours to make.

FAQ — How is the KRW 1,000,000 review fee handled?

The KRW 1,000,000 review fee covers the cost of hospital medical staff reviewing your records and preparing a written opinion; once you receive the written opinion, the service is complete and the fee is non-refundable. However, if the hospital exceeds the 5-business-day timeframe, the fee is refunded in full. If you sign a treatment contract after the remote review, this KRW 1,000,000 is settled by being deducted from your treatment costs.

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on notes on remote review (pre-arrival review) and frequently asked questions (https://www.mohw.go.kr, https://www.medicalkorea.or.kr, https://www.cancer.go.kr, https://www.hikorea.go.kr).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes, and diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment must be determined through consultation with medical staff.