Expansion of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS)
As of 2026, Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound has seen a massive surge in South Korea as a radiation-free alternative to CT for specific diagnostic tasks.
Microbubble Technology: Agents like Sonovue and Optison are being used for point-of-care liver and cardiac assessments. These microbubbles are exhaled via the lungs rather than excreted through the kidneys, making them the 2026 "Gold Standard" for patients with severe renal impairment.
Reimbursement Upgrade: Following international trends, South Korea’s HIRA (Health Insurance Review Agency) has adjusted its 2026 fee schedule to better reflect the specialized nature of CEUS, encouraging hospitals to utilize ultrasound-plus-contrast over more expensive, radiation-heavy CT scans.
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