Pet magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan fees were found to differ by as much as fourfold by region, ranging from 400,000 won to 1.6 million won.
On the 22nd, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it surveyed the minimum, maximum, average, and median of 20 major medical fees at 3,950 animal hospitals nationwide this year and disclosed them by city, county, and district. The survey on animal hospital medical fees has been conducted annually since 2023.
The survey found the average MRI scan fee was about 720,000 won. The average was 738,000 won for a 5-kilogram pet, 792,000 won for 10 kilograms, and over 900,000 won for 20 kilograms. By region, fees ranged from a low of 400,000 won to a high of 1.6 million won.
Computed tomography (CT) scan fees also showed wide variation. The average CT medical fee was tallied at about 600,000 won. The average was 539,000 won for 5 kilograms, 590,000 won for 10 kilograms, and 680,000 won for 20 kilograms. The regional low was 257,000 won, and the high was 1.5 million won.
The average initial consultation fee, a basic medical charge, was 10,520 won. The median was 10,000 won, with a range from a low of 1,000 won to a high of 61,000 won. The average follow-up consultation fee was 8,457 won.
Inpatient fees (per day) averaged around 65,000 won. The average was 51,000 won for 5 kilograms, 64,000 won for 10 kilograms, and 84,000 won for 20 kilograms. The highest confirmed fee reached 330,000 won.
Vaccination expense also varied by item. The average for a combination vaccine was 26,000 won for dogs and about 39,000 won for cats. The average for a rabies vaccine was around 24,000 won.
This year, the ministry expanded those surveyed medical fee items from 11 to 20. Vaccination fees, blood test fees, imaging test fees, and medication/dispensing fees were newly included.
Compared with the previous year, averages rose in nine items and fell in two. X-ray fees increased 8.3%, and consultation fees rose 6.5%. Complete blood count test fees fell 10.6%.
The gap in average medical fees between regions ranged from 1.1 to 1.7 times. X-ray fees differed 1.1 times between South Gyeongsang and North Gyeongsang, and consultation fees differed 1.7 times between Daejeon and South Jeolla. This is a narrower range than last year (1.2 to 2.0 times). The ministry sees this as the effect of hospitals adjusting fees in response to price competition after fee disclosure became mandatory.
Ju Won-cheol, director general for animal welfare and environment policy at the ministry, said, "With the disclosure of animal hospital fees, conditions are being put in place for pet owners to make informed choices," adding, "We will continue to push policies to ease the burden of medical fees."