Sino RX vs Bookimed: Which Medical Tourism Agency Is Right for You?
Sino RX and Bookimed represent two fundamentally different models. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right one for your situation.

If you’re comparing medical tourism agencies, Sino RX and Bookimed represent two fundamentally different models. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right one for your situation.
What Bookimed Does
Bookimed is a medical tourism marketplace. It lists hospitals and clinics across multiple countries — primarily in Turkey, Thailand, India, and Eastern Europe — and connects patients with those facilities. The platform operates on a commission model: hospitals pay to be listed, and Bookimed earns a referral fee when patients book.
This model has advantages: broad geographic coverage, a large volume of user reviews, and the ability to compare options across multiple countries in one place.
What Sino RX Does
We help you contact the international patient departments of hospitals; the hospital decides whether to accept your case. Rather than listing hospitals for patients to browse, Sino RX coordinates the entire patient journey: specialist matching, appointment scheduling, visa invitation letter guidance, travel logistics, bilingual support on the ground, and post-treatment follow-up.
The service is focused on helping patients send enquiries to hospitals in China — including Jishuitan Hospital (with an orthopedic department) and Beijing Tongren Hospital (ophthalmology).
Key Differences
| Factor | Bookimed | Sino RX |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Marketplace (commission-based) | Dedicated concierge |
| Geographic focus | Multi-country | China only |
| Hospital access | Listed facilities | Independent hospital enquiries; no hospital partnerships |
| Coordination | Platform-based | Full end-to-end |
| Language support | Varies by facility | Bilingual throughout |
| Cost vs prices in other countries | Varies by country | Case-specific written estimate |
Cost Comparison
Prices vary by country, clinic and procedure. Compare itemized estimates for the same care plan, including coordination, travel and aftercare.
China’s hospitals, accessed through Sino RX, typically deliver:
- Hip replacement: $8,000–$12,000 (vs $30,000–$50,000 in the US)
- Knee replacement: $7,000–$11,000 (vs $25,000–$45,000 in the US)
- Dental implants: $800–$1,500 per implant (vs $3,000–$5,000 in the US)
- LASIK: $1,500–$2,500 both eyes (vs $4,000–$5,000 in the US)
Which Is Right for You?
Choose Bookimed if:
You want to compare options across multiple countries, you’re flexible on destination, and you prefer a self-directed research process.
Choose Sino RX if:
You want access to China’s specialist hospitals, you need full end-to-end coordination, and you want a dedicated point of contact throughout your treatment journey.
For patients specifically seeking orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, dental work, or health screenings at China’s hospitals, Sino RX offers a level of specialist access and on-ground coordination that a multi-country marketplace cannot replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sino RX differ from Bookimed?
Bookimed is a large lead-generation platform that matches patients to clinics in many countries; Sino RX focuses only on China and handles the full journey — matching, visa, travel, translation, and aftercare — with one team.
Do I pay more by using Sino RX?
Consultation is free. Our coordination fee is quoted in writing before you commit, separately from hospital treatment and other costs.
Is a specialist or a marketplace better for medical travel to China?
A specialist gives you a single accountable point of contact and local support inside China, while a marketplace offers breadth across destinations but less depth in any one country.
Request a free consultation
Tell us your treatment goal and preferred language. A coordinator usually replies within 1–2 business days. Consultation is free; we only charge a coordination fee if you book our coordination service.
Coordination from $190, confirmed in a written quote
Request a free consultation