Job Discussion Forums

[annmt]

I'm getting ready to teach abroad (Where exactly, I'm not sure at this moment - I'm finishing my certification course.) While it seems like some schools offer health insurance, I'd like to buy some through a global/international provider.. but there are so many out there, I can't tell which ones are good, bad, or scams

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[tttompatz]

Largely depends on where you are headed.

Most places are much better than anything you will get in the states.

"world nomads" and "bupa" are 2 that are pretty common for globe trotters to use.

If you are headed someplace that has national health insurance of some form then all you need is a supplemental policy to cover what is not covered by the national plans.

Another thing to keep in mind is that health care costs outside the US are SUBSTANTIALLY lower. A visit to the hospital and meds for something simple like a bacterial infection will only cost about $5-10 without insurance.

An MRI, surgery, and a week in hospital to repair and recover from a torn ACL is only about $1000. Physio therapy is $3 per visit.

In MANY cases you really only need accident insurance (in case you get hit by a bus or a crazed motorcycle driver or get caught in a house fire) because the costs of medical care are substantially lower than the cost of insurance.

.

[Glenski]

If you are in Japan, you will be required by law to get national health insurance there. So if you opt for some global/travel insurance plan, be advised that you will also need that, and that perhaps many hospitals/clinics won't even take the global/travel insurance. You may also face the problem of having to pay the bill in total up front first, and then wait many weeks before getting reimbursed from that global/travel insurance company. Think about where you would like to work, and then we can help you better.

[Justin Trullinger]

Second what Glenski said- the best health care decision for your needs is massively dependent on where you live.

I swear by BUPA at the moment- good coverage.

It wouldn't be appropriate in many places though. (Expensive, much more expensive than healthcare in some countries where I've lived.)

Best,
Justin

[annmt]

The way it's looking now, I think that there is a strong chance that I'll end up in Korea

Thanks so much for these recommendations, while it will suck to wait for reimbursement, at least it will eventually come!

[Glenski]

It's not necessarily the waiting time that sucks. What if the bill itself is big? Lots of foreign teachers don't keep big bank accounts. Think about it.

Join the Korea forum to ask what the deal is there.

[naturegirl321]

Keep in mind that some schools will provide health insurance. And I echo what people haev said before, COSTS are MUCH less abroad than in the US. I had a COMPLETE physical in China, blood work, chest x-ray, sonogram (to make sure I had all my organs), and EKG for a whooping $25. No insurance.

[annmt]

I'll check out the korean forums See my main concern is that I need regular medication

[slareth]

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

[Nemodot]

Hi I would say the most important insurance is "wipeout" insurane that is something that would wipe you out financially. Big ops or cancer etc. Large excesses reduce premiums and I opted for 90% cover in Thailand and "self insured" the rest. I carried photocopies of insurance and fixed deposit savings on me as well as local and home credit cards at all times. Basically "spend all you like and save me" message! I had cheap local cover from school in Thailand but topped that up for wipeout. A colleaugue broke his leg and even with limited school cover managed ok.

While in Malaysia I just paid the local doc in cash. For ten pounds with a cold see a doctor and walk away with antibiotics, vitamin tablets etc! Cheaper than prescription in free uk system. Just be careful of something massive

[smurfetta]

For minor stuff, it can be really cheap. If you have national health insurance in Korea, be advised it doesn't cover everything. I was surprised that it didn't cover tests such as ultrasounds. I know someone that had her baby here and her birth cost around $7000 even though they had national health insurance. Her baby was premature and had to stay in the hospital for awhile. The parents regretted not buying additional insurance which apparently you can do in Korea. I'm told that lots of Koreans themselves have private insurance on top of their national health insurance.

Also, another thing to be aware of with Korean hospitals is that the families take care of the patients during hospital stays.

[annmt]

Hopefully I won't end up in a hospital - I just need prescriptions. And thanks for letting me know about the smaller cities. As a contingency plan, although there are not hospitals and necessarily English speaking doctors (IF I end up somewhere in a smaller city like Busan or something, and I'd bring an interpreter) - are the standard kinds of specialists around? I know this is a terribly specific question, but you never know.

It'd be really nice if the only thing required health-wise is the lets-see-if-you-have-all-your-organs-missing deal and an HIV test, but they will probably want to know whether or not I'm on any medications. Maybe if I bring a note from my doctor saying I am fit to travel that will help. Regarding insurance plans, I'm going to take out the fullest one, not worrying about cost.

I'm not dead-set on going to Korea. I just heard they had good health care. I've cnsidered China, but have decided against it mostly because I'm concerned about inferior medications, with all of their recent public recalls and all.

I heard someone taught in Thailand but were so unimpressed by the health care there that they went to Indonesia (I think?) to get the 'big' stuuff done, although I'm not sure what qualifies as 'big.' How available are prescriptions and health care in Thailand or Malaysia?

I'm not worried about the cost - my primary concern is the availability.

A bit off topic, but what were the visa health questions like for Thailand and Malaysia?