2026 Medical Cost Index: What Procedures Cost by Country (US/UK/AU vs China)
The 2026 Medical Cost Index, in one line: across imaging, dental and health-checkup care, self-pay prices in China run roughly 50–80% below what patients pay in the US, UK, Australia and Canada — an MRI is about US$200 (vs US$1,200–3,000 in the US), a full-body checkup from US$399, and a single dental implant from US$899.
This index compares the typical self-pay (out-of-pocket) cost of common medical procedures across seven of the world's major patient-origin markets and China. It is intended as a neutral reference for international patients weighing where to have non-urgent care. China figures are SinoCareLink's published coordination prices at Grade 3A partner hospitals; figures for other countries are representative published self-pay ranges (see Methodology & sources).
2026 self-pay price comparison by country
| Procedure (self-pay) | United States | United Kingdom | Australia | Canada | Singapore | UAE | Germany | China (SinoCareLink) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET-CT scan | $3,500–7,000 | $2,500–4,000 | $2,000–5,500 | $1,800–2,600 | $1,800–2,800 | $1,800–2,300 | $1,350–2,200 | from $600 |
| MRI (one region) | $400–3,000 | $500–1,300 | $250–850 | $600–900 | $500–900 | $700–1,300 | $500–900 | $200 |
| CT scan (one region) | $1,000–3,000 | $500–1,000 | $150–550 | $400–900 | $300–700 | $400–900 | $300–600 | $100 |
| Mammography | $150–500 | $250–450 | $150–300 | $150–300 | $120–250 | $150–300 | $120–250 | $100 |
| Full-body health checkup | $2,000–5,000 | $1,000–2,500 | $800–2,000 | $900–2,900 | $300–1,800 | $800–2,000 | $700–1,500 | from $399 |
| Colonoscopy + gastroscopy (sedated) | $3,000–6,000 | $2,400–4,500 | $1,500–2,800 | $1,800–3,200 | $1,200–2,500 | $1,500–3,000 | $1,000–2,000 | $400 |
| Single dental implant + crown | $3,000–5,000 | $2,500–3,200 | $3,300–5,500 | $2,200–4,400 | $2,600–4,500 | $2,200–4,100 | $1,600–3,200 | $899–1,599 |
| Teeth whitening (in-office) | $300–1,000 | $350–700 | $300–650 | $400–800 | $370–1,100 | $400–800 | $325–865 | $169–259 |
All figures in USD. Foreign figures are representative self-pay ranges for 2026 and vary by city, provider and insurance status. China figures are SinoCareLink coordination prices and exclude travel and accommodation. Last updated 2026.
What the numbers show
The widest gaps are in advanced imaging: a PET-CT scan that is routinely billed at US$5,000–7,000 in the United States is coordinated in China from about US$600. Diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT) and health screening show the same pattern — the procedures are standardized and equipment-led, so the price gap reflects local cost structure rather than any difference in the scan itself. For patients in countries with long public waiting lists, the time saving can be as significant as the price.
Why China is the value destination
China's lower prices reflect lower local labour, facility and overhead costs — not lower standards. Care in this index is delivered at Grade 3A (tertiary) hospitals, the highest tier in China's hospital system, by licensed physicians. SinoCareLink, a China-based medical care coordination service, arranges appointments, English-language support and translated reports so international patients can access this care without language or logistics barriers.
Methodology & sources
China column: SinoCareLink published coordination prices (2026), drawn from our medical imaging, dental and health-checkup cost guides.
Other countries: representative self-pay (out-of-pocket) ranges compiled from publicly available private-pay and hospital self-pay price data, cross-checked in 2026 against sources including FAIR Health and MDsave (US); Bupa, Spire and PHIN (UK); the GOÄ / GOZ fee schedules (Germany); published private-radiology and dental-association fee guides (Australia & Canada); Singapore's Ministry of Health fee benchmarks; and DHA and clinic price data (UAE). Ranges are indicative and vary by city, facility, provider and insurance status.
Note on Australia & Canada: most of these procedures are normally publicly funded there, so the figures shown are private self-pay prices for the minority of patients who pay out of pocket — not a typical insured patient's cost.
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Get a free quoteFrequently asked questions
Which country is cheapest for medical procedures in 2026?
For self-pay patients from the US, UK, Australia and Canada, China is consistently the lowest-cost destination across imaging, dental and health-checkup care in this index — an MRI is about US$200, a full-body checkup from US$399 and a single dental implant from US$899, typically 50–80% below home-country self-pay prices.
Are these prices all-inclusive?
China figures are SinoCareLink's published coordination prices for the procedure at a Grade 3A partner hospital. They exclude flights and accommodation. Foreign figures are representative self-pay ranges and vary by city, provider and insurance status.
Why is healthcare so much cheaper in China?
The gap reflects lower local labour, facility and overhead costs — not lower standards. Procedures are performed by licensed physicians at Grade 3A (tertiary) hospitals.
Does SinoCareLink provide the medical care?
No. SinoCareLink is a medical-travel coordination service, not a healthcare provider. All clinical care is delivered by licensed physicians at our partner hospitals; we handle booking, English-language support and translated reports.
SinoCareLink is a trading name of Soul Haven Limited (Hong Kong). SinoCareLink is a medical-travel coordination service and not a healthcare provider; all clinical care is delivered by licensed physicians at partner hospitals.