Korean Job Discussion Forums

CRH · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Hello

My wife and I both have been paying health insurance out of our pay every month. I have to go to a clinic soon (I think), and I have been wondering shouldn't I have a health insurance card or something? Any info on this would be appreciated....

Thanks
Cheers
CRH

vdowd · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Iksan

Hello,

In answer to your query - yes, you should have received a card from your employer - it is vital. However, it is not a card (like a credit card) that we have at home but more like a small plastic folder with a paper document that proves that you have health insurance. I don't know how long you have been in Korea but it did take a while for my employer to receive - about 1 month.

Good luck

rick · Joined: 20 Feb 2003

I strongly recommend that you get international insurance to supplement your coverage. Korean insurance only covers a part of all costs. This is fine if you have the flu but if you have a major accident you will get screwed. I had a CAT scan done on my eye and had to pay 100,000 won. If something really serious happened to me, I'd get stuck paying millions of won.

mokpochica · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

The ISIC and ITIC cards have some insurance benefits that come with them. You can buy them for about $25 at any STA travel agency. They have sort of a weird beginning and expiration date, but they are worth getting.

Here's an address to check out for info about these cards:
http://www.counciltravel.com/idcards/default.asp

You can go to this page to find agencies that will help you get this card:
http://www.istcnet.org/DiscountMgr/Silverstream/Pages/TravelOffices.html