Job Discussion Forums

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

I was just informed, after signing the contract a few weeks ago, that the provincial FAO is is now requiring proof of medical insurance. In the past the school was supposed to provide it. Now the school says it is up to me.

Any previous victims of this rip off? What did you pay for a plan? Does your school still pay your premium. If so, what kind of school is it?

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

Read my post at this thread:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=55275&highlight=medical+insurance

It's a year and a half old, but the info I provided there is still good (I updated it today to the current link to the PICC plan).

My university pays for the policy for all the foreign teachers. I had a look at the policy recently and saw cost on the sheet. The school paid a total one year premium of 6,120 RMB for 4 teachers' policies. I don't know if the premium is based on age (probably is to some extent), but that was for 3 teachers in their fifties and one in her twenties. Our policy is somewhat different than the plan at the link. Our limits are higher and the premium appears to be lower, but that's probably because it's a group plan with other colleges and universities within the area.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Great. Thank you.

Kibbs · Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 64

Some schools do not provide medical insurance. The government requires them to have some sort of life insurance on you though..

Just buy a cheap plan online and show them your receipt.

I use travelex.

TravelEx Medical Insurance

Eyrick3 · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Location: Beijing, China

I don't know of anyone with experience trying to get a payout from them, but the Chinese company Pingan (平安) sells a year of insurance for around 700 RMB.

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

The school which is hiring me told them to ''send them insurance(accidental injury and serious disease)''. What exactly does this mean - do they want me to spend $800 on travel insurance?

They apparently need the information to apply for my Z-Visa.

Lipps · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 45

Just buy some travel-medical insurance for one to six months whatever you can afford. Once you are in China and settled start peeping out domestic policies which will be far less expensive than one you will buy in your home country.

TravelEx Medical Insurance Quotes

The link above is pretty good, set your trip cost to zero if you only want medical coverage.

cheers

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

OK, thanks.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

People with health issues need to shop carefully when buying insurance. A colleague of mine had an excellent travel plan which he desperately needed shortly after arriving in China.

Latent conditions can become problematic due to stress, dietary changes, climate, and so forth.

Keep in ind that serious medical conditions may best not be treated locally in China, depending on your location. They may require air transport, Hong Kong, Beijing, or Shanghai medical bills and hotel costs. Good insurance will cover it.

You might want to consider a burial plan as well. A local FT bought it several weeks ago.

Steinmann · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:33 am Post subject: