Job Discussion Forums

[cammer408]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times, but so far I have not found an answer. I will be traveling to Datong, China sometime in August to teach English. I have been told that I need to purchase health insurance before arriving in China. I have called and written several insurance agents who all have informed me they do not sell that type of insurance. I have also been told it could cost as much as $1,700 a year. That is a lot of money for someone only making 5000 RMB a month. Can anyone help me with these two concerns?
Thanks

[juliexcz]

I am looking into this company called Global Health Insurance
http://www.worldtrips.com/quotes/default.asp?referid=99121-0026[url]

They cover basic emergency situations and I found them to be fairly reasonable $650 for 10 months with $100 deductible for someone who is 24.

Hope this helps![/url]

[tw]

I wouldn't sweat it. Some schools do reimburse full medical expenses provided you go to a hospital they want you to go to, some schools don't. If you take your Hepatitis shots, bring plenty of Tylenol and Immodium and follow some simple rules you should be fine.

(1) NEVER drink the tap water (it's OK if some go into your stomach during rinsing after you brush your teeth).

(2) Try to keep your diet on the light side in the beginning, i.e. don't go crazy and start trying everything and anything -- especially greasy stuff.

(3) Don't buy food from street-side vendors who prepare them there and then until at least you've been there for a month or so (to get adjusted to the local food).

(4) Find out from the FAO where best NOT to go eat, e.g. in Dalian, small restaurants right outside of the train station are notoriously bad and I learned it the hard way by getting food poisoning there on my second day in Dalian.

(5) Remember that cars don't stop for people, they MAY slow down if you are in a crosswalk (thr law in many cities). So always pretend that you are playing frogger.

(6) Avoid riding a bike if the city is heavily populated.

(7) Buy/bring mosquito repellent.

( Wash your hands often.

(9) Wear a face mask in the winter.

(10) Always wear a condom.

[Keath]

Use TravelEx Insurance. Worldwide and reputable. we did a lot of research on insurnace companies. They're one of the medium priced outfits with a high reputation.

http://www.travelex-insurance.com/index.asp?location=07-0018


Keath
www.JourneyEast.org
TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA
(773) 532-9988 Free Pre-Trip Consulting

[cammer408]

All the advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

[rogerejones]

I tried to search for this information, so am not sure if my question has been answered in these forums yet, but here goes:

If I go to China to teach, I will need to find health insurance that will allow me to keep taking a prescription for a pre-existing condition. Has anyone had to deal with a similar situation, and if so, did you find an affordable insurance provider offering prescription coverage? Did it allow you to keep your US physician and to mail-order your meds from the US? This is one of my greatest concerns about going abroad to teach.

[Don McChesney]

I stockpiled 10 months of meds and brought them with me. When I ran out I went local and got them from the hospital here. No problems.

[Keath]

What type of med is it, Name? You can usually find meds in China without a prescription. They started enforcing prescriptions a year ago but I think its pretty much back to the way things were before SARS, nothing required.

Otherwise, have your Dr write out prescr. for a year in advance..

Keith
www.JourneyEast.org
TEACH IN CHINA

[CountryClub]

Cammer, where are you from?