Compare · Korea vs USA
Varicose Vein Treatment: Korea vs USA – Cost, Access and Care
Quick answer: At LEDAS in Busan, the first visit with leg ultrasound costs 180,000 KRW and treatment averages about 5,500,000 KRW per leg, with an exact quote after ultrasound. In the USA, what you pay depends heavily on your insurance plan, deductible and prior-approval rules. Compare your full out-of-pocket total, including flights, hotel and follow-up.
Key facts at a glance
- LEDAS first visit: 180,000 KRW for a specialist consultation plus leg vein ultrasound.
- LEDAS treatment: averages about 5,500,000 KRW per leg, depending on disease stage; exact quote after ultrasound.
- USA: cost is shaped by insurance coverage, deductibles, co-insurance and whether treatment is judged medically necessary.
- Methods: LEDAS uses EVLT (1940nm diode laser) plus ultrasound-guided and standard sclerotherapy; US clinics may also offer RFA or adhesive closure.
- Anesthesia at LEDAS: local only, no incision, same-day discharge.
- Quality markers at LEDAS: JCI accredited for 4 consecutive cycles (2015–2028) and KAHF accredited for foreign-patient care.
- Follow-up: ultrasound every 1–2 years or whenever you are back in Korea.
How much does varicose vein treatment cost in Korea compared with the USA?
There is no single "US price". In the United States, the bill for vein treatment is set by each provider, and what you actually pay depends on your insurance plan: your deductible, co-insurance, whether the clinic is in network, and whether your insurer agrees the treatment is medically necessary. Some patients pay very little; others with high-deductible plans or cosmetic-only findings pay much more.
At LEDAS the published figures are simpler:
- First visit: 180,000 KRW, which covers a consultation with the specialist and a duplex ultrasound of the leg veins.
- Treatment: an average of about 5,500,000 KRW per leg. The real figure depends on how advanced the disease is and how many veins need treatment.
You receive an exact quote only after the ultrasound, because the scan decides what needs to be treated. See the full breakdown in varicose vein treatment cost in Korea .
Add travel to the comparison
A fair comparison for a US patient adds return flights, several nights in Busan, local transport and meals, and time away from work. Against that, you may avoid a high deductible or out-of-network charges at home. Get your US quote in writing, estimate your Korean trip, and compare the totals rather than the headline fee.
Will US insurance pay for treatment in Korea?
Most US domestic plans pay little or nothing for planned treatment abroad, but policies differ. Some international or expatriate plans do reimburse overseas care. Ask your insurer before you travel, in writing, and find out what documents they need. LEDAS can issue medical statements in Korean or English; read insurance claims and medical documents and travel and international health insurance .
Is the treatment itself different?
The basic science is the same everywhere: find the leaking (refluxing) veins with duplex ultrasound, close them, then treat remaining branches. The difference is in the tools and the system.
Methods
In the USA, thermal ablation with laser or radiofrequency (RFA), adhesive closure and sclerotherapy are all widely used. LEDAS does not offer RFA or glue. It uses EVLT with a 1940nm diode laser for the main refluxing veins, duplex-guided sclerotherapy for hidden branches between the muscles, and sclerotherapy for smaller visible veins. If you are weighing laser against radiofrequency, see EVLT vs RFA .
Process
Many US practices schedule the scan, the main ablation and later sclerotherapy on separate days, and some insurers ask for a trial period of compression stockings first. At LEDAS, international patients usually have the ultrasound and treatment planned around a short stay, with local anesthesia, no incision and same-day discharge.
How do I judge quality across two countries?
Look for things you can check, not slogans:
- Accreditation. LEDAS has been accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) for four consecutive cycles, 2015–2028, and by Korea's KAHF program for clinics serving foreign patients.
- Who does the procedure. At LEDAS that is Dr. Kim Byoung Joon , a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon who has focused on varicose veins for over 22 years.
- Diagnostic equipment. LEDAS uses four Philips EPIQ Elite ultrasound units.
- Experience. The clinic passed 20,000 varicose vein procedures in 2022.
- Follow-up plan. Ask every clinic how they will monitor you for recurrence.
What about follow-up once I am back in the USA?
This is the part people forget to price. After treatment abroad, you need someone to check on you if something feels wrong. Before you leave Korea, ask LEDAS for your treatment summary in English and share it with your primary care doctor. LEDAS recommends follow-up ultrasound every 1–2 years or whenever you return to Korea, and your coordinator stays in touch. Read follow-up after you return home .
If you develop sudden one-sided leg swelling and pain, or shortness of breath or chest pain, go to an emergency department straight away. These can be signs of a blood clot.
Korea (LEDAS) vs USA: what to compare
| LEDAS, Busan | Typical US vein practice | |
|---|---|---|
| Price basis | Published guide: 180,000 KRW first visit; about 5,500,000 KRW per leg | Set by provider; your share depends on insurance plan |
| Insurance | Usually self-pay for foreign patients; ask your insurer about reimbursement | Often covered if medically necessary; prior approval may be needed |
| Methods | EVLT 1940nm + duplex-guided and standard sclerotherapy | Laser, RFA, adhesive closure, sclerotherapy (varies) |
| Anesthesia | Local only, no incision | Usually local for endovenous methods |
| Extra costs | Flights, hotel, time off work | Deductible, co-insurance, separate session fees |
| Follow-up | Ultrasound every 1–2 years or on return visits; coordinator contact | Local clinic visits |
Korea vs USA – frequently asked questions
Is varicose vein treatment cheaper in Korea than in the USA?
It can be, but it depends on your US insurance. If your plan covers medically necessary vein treatment with a low deductible, staying home may cost less. If you face a high deductible or no coverage, LEDAS's published guide of about 5,500,000 KRW per leg plus travel may compare well. Always compare written totals.
Can I get RFA or VenaSeal at LEDAS?
No. LEDAS does not offer radiofrequency ablation or adhesive (glue) closure. It treats the main leaking veins with EVLT using a 1940nm diode laser and treats other branches with ultrasound-guided and standard sclerotherapy. You can read a neutral comparison in EVLT vs VenaSeal.
Will my US doctor accept records from Korea?
LEDAS issues medical statements in Korean or English, so your US doctor can read your diagnosis and what was treated. Ask for documents before discharge, and keep a copy of your ultrasound findings. Your coordinator can also help pass questions between your local doctor and the LEDAS team.
How long should a US patient plan to stay in Busan?
Plan for several days rather than a weekend: an ultrasound visit, treatment day and a short recovery period with walking before the long flight home. The exact length depends on what the ultrasound shows. See how many days you need in Korea for sample plans.
About this page
Clinical information:
LEDAS Varicose Vein Clinic, led by
Dr. Kim Byoung Joon , thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, founding member of the Korean Society for Phlebology.
Medical reviewer:
Dr. Kim Byoung Joon ·
Review status:
Pending ·
Last updated:
October 2026
This page is general information and not a diagnosis. Treatment is decided only after an in-person examination. Read our
editorial policy .
Related: Patients from the USA & Canada · Why patients choose Korea · Treatment cost in Korea · Flying after treatment · International patients
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English consultation available · +82-70-4895-5086 · kbjledaspm@gmail.com
