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This section provides answers to many commonly asked questions. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us!
How much will this cost?
Is it really cheaper to fly to Japan to take medical screening tests than to take them in the U.S.?
Are the tests safe?
Is Japan safe?
Why are medical tests so cheap in Japan?
Can you do this on your own?
Can I get a check-up at a different hospital/in a different city?
Can I undergo other tests not listed in the packages?
Will my insurance policy cover these tests?
Can you book my flight? Reserve my hotel room? Arrange a sightseeing tour?
How do I get to the hospital?
How is payment handled?
What is your cancellation policy?
Will I need a passport or visa?
What if I can’t speak Japanese?
How long will the tests take?
When will I get my results back?
What will I need to do to prepare for the tests?
Why are some optional tests only available for certain courses?
How much will this cost? top
Prices vary depending on which tests you take. A complete Body Scan costs $1,100. That’s less than the typical price of a single cranial MRI in the United States. Detailed information on prices can be found on the Get a Quote page. Note that these prices are for the medical tests only. If you would like us to take care of your flight and hotel arrangements as well, simply check the appropriate boxes on the Get a Quote form and we will send you a quote. As a ballpark figure, roundtrip airfare, including taxes and fuel surcharges, generally costs around $1,000 per passenger, and hotels charge approximately $100 per night. If you would prefer less expensive (or more luxurious) hotels, please let us know your preferences in the form’s Comment field.
Is it really cheaper to fly to Japan to take medical screening tests than to take them in the U.S.? top
As incredible as it sounds, yes. Sadly enough, that is how high hospital prices in the U.S. have risen. Consider our standard course—the Body Scan, which would cost approximately $5,000 if performed in the U.S. (see our Price Comparison list for a detailed breakdown). Checkup Japan’s price is $1,100 for this course. Airfare prices vary depending on locations and reservation dates, but for argument’s sake let us err on the pricey side and assume the roundtrip flight costs $1,500. Let us also assume you will be staying a full week (to see the sights while on this side of the planet) at a luxurious hotel costing $150/night for a weekly total of $1,050. Summing everything up, $1,100 + $1,500 + $1,050 = $3,650. That’s over a thousand dollars in savings even with a week vacation at a luxury hotel. Staying less days at a standard business hotel will save you even more, and if you are already in Japan or are planning a visit anyway, airfare and accommodation fees need not even be a factor.
Are the tests safe? top
Compared with organ transplants and surgeries—the focus of most medical tourism businesses—the tests we offer are not dangerous at all. That being said, there are still some risks. If you take a chest x-ray, for example, you will be exposed to a minor amount of radiation. The risks are no greater, however, than if the tests were conducted in the U.S. For details about the risks of each individual test, please check the Test Descriptions page.
Is Japan safe? top
Yes. Japan is one of the safest nations in the world—even safer than the United States. Not only that, but the Japanese people are extremely friendly to Americans, and most can speak at least rudimentary English.
Why are medical tests so cheap in Japan? top
Perhaps a better question might be, why are medical tests so expensive in America? We can only speculate at the reason. It’s certainly not because Japanese medical equipment is second-hand or outdated. Japan is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, with medical specialists every bit as qualified and as skilled as American specialists.
Can you do this on your own? top
Of course, but why would you? We know Japanese hospitals inside and out. We can speak Japanese and easily arrange your appointments. We can guide you from your hotel or airport directly to the hospital. We can interpret for you, and translate your test results into English. We can offer you advice on where to stay, what to see and more. And we offer all of these services at no extra charge.
Can I get a check-up at a different hospital/in a different city? top
Yes. We can easily arrange your check-up at any location in Japan, for approximately the same price.
Can I undergo other tests not listed in the packages? top
Yes. Just let us know which tests you would like to take, and we will be happy to send you a quote.
Will my insurance policy cover these tests? top
Please check with your insurance provider. Most insurance policies do not allow for many of the tests we offer simply to screen for conditions, unless a referring doctor deems it necessary. This means you would probably have to pay the test prices in full in America, which is another reason why undergoing the tests in Japan can save you money.
Can you book my flight? Reserve my hotel room? Arrange a sightseeing tour? top
We will be happy to make any or all of these arrangements for you. Simply indicate your needs on the Get a Quote form, and we will send you a quote.
How do I get to the hospital? top
We will be happy to meet you at the airport or your hotel and personally escort you to the hospital. If you would prefer to travel to the hospital on your own, please contact us for detailed instructions.
How is payment handled? top
When you submit an appointment request form, we will check with the hospital (and if handling your travel accommodations as well, the hotel and airline) to see if your preferred dates are available. Once the dates and tests have been confirmed, we will send an electronic invoice, from which you can pay by credit or debit card immediately. Note, however, that PREPAYMENT IS NOT REQUIRED for hotel and hospital fees. Although you have the option to pay beforehand, payment for hotel and hospital fees is not necessary until actually checking in at the hotel/hospital. However, airfare must be paid beforehand. Exactly how much time beforehand depends on several factors such as the airline used and your departure date. We will notify you in advance when the airline company requires payment.
What is your cancellation policy? top
Checkup Japan™ understands that schedules can go awry, and does not itself charge for cancellations. However, airlines, hotels and our partner hospitals do. Airfare refunds are dictated by the fare rules that airlines set for the type of ticket you purchase. Fully and partially refundable tickets can be purchased, but at much higher costs than non-refundable tickets. Meanwhile, hospitals charge 50% of the total payment if canceling on the day before your appointment, and payment must still be made in full for cancellations on the day of your appointment. Hotels generally follow a similar policy, but policies may vary from hotel to hotel. We will inform you of your particular hotel’s cancellation policy once you have chosen one.
Will I need a passport or visa? top
You will need a valid passport. The U.S. Department of State provides information online regarding how to obtain or renew a passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html If you have a U.S. passport, no visa is required due to a reciprocal visa exemption arrangement between Japan and the United States. A 90-day non-extendable visa will be issued to you upon your arrival to Japan.
What if I can’t speak Japanese? top
All our plans include English-speaking staff to assist you during your hospital visit, and English versions of your test results.
How long will the tests take? top
Courses are generally conducted in a single day, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Only the Deluxe Scan takes two days to complete.
When will I get my results back? top
Most test results will be available immediately, which the doctor will go over with you after all the tests are completed. The test results at this stage will be in Japanese, but an interpreter will be on-hand during the doctor consultation. A few test results require approximately 3 weeks before they are available. Once all test results are available, the records will be translated into English and then mailed to you. You should be able to receive your official records approximately 5 weeks after your exam, although you will be informed of most of the results in person on the day of your exam.
What will I need to do to prepare for the tests? top
Preparations vary depending on which tests you choose to take, and are detailed in the test descriptions. In general, you will be required to fast from food and fluids 12 hours prior to your hospital visit. If taking urine/stool/phlegm tests, you will be required to bring samples collected within two days prior to your visit. You will be provided with all necessary equipment and instructions for such tests prior to the exam.
Why are some optional tests only available for certain courses? top
Different hospitals offer different exams and courses. Optional tests offered at one hospital may not be available to add to a course conducted at another hospital. Please see our Partner Hospitals section for more information on which hospitals offer which courses and optional tests. |
