Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tathen]

With the Korean medical insurance system, I have a few questions.

If you worked a year at a hagwon which did NOT pay the insurance, does the Korean Insurance system require you to pay for all the payments that were not made in your first year upon applying for the medical insurance in your second year? (I heard this recently).

Also, if one does get medical insurance, say through AIG, does this insurance give you a discount on prescription drugs like the Korean system does? Also, if it does, do you simply hand the AIG information to the doctor's office that you goto, and they give you the discount immediately, and reimburse themselves through the insurance company? Or do you pay the full price, and apply for reimbursement through AIG? (inconvenient).

Also, assuming my information in my first note is correct regarding repaying the uninsured time here, does being under AIG for another year mean I would have to pay for 2years of the korean insurance system upon applying next year? Or do I simply provide them with a proof of insurance?

Any information you can give me would be helpful. I know this might simply be answered with a "No, it's cool" or "Yup". If what I have said is all accurate however, what do I do? Isn't it illegal for my past school not to pay my insurance? It was in the contract as well (being a newb my first year, I just assumed it was paid for). So, if they didn't pay for it by my past school, and now this is going to cost me personally, what should I do to get the money, assuming I can? Or would the government be able to give me some help with that upon finding out my past school did not insure me by any company? (won't hold my breath for that option....)

Thanks for any help you can give me!

~Tathen

P.S. My girlfriend provided me with some of this information from a "cafe [message board]" she posts on related to korean girls married/dating Canadians. I guess this is a common issue, and from what she seems to think, there isn't much I can do.....

[garykasparov]

[ttompatz]

BUT...


If you leave and return with a new visa the clock starts again and you do NOT get dinged with the back payments.

[i_teach_esl]

i work for the hogwon that offers NO insurance. i pay around $200 every month for prozac and welbutrin. if anyone knows of a way to get my meds cheaper, please let a gal know.

[elliemk]

"I work at a hagwon that pays no insurance."

What was in your contract? Did it say anything about insurance? You are entitled to get insurance! Matter of fact, it is legally required. Ask you director about it. Tell him you know that you have to get insurance. Ask him/her what is going to be done about this. You are also entitled to pension. You have to stand up for yourself here. Nobody will do it for you.

However, if your director says no insurance, then go to the Labor Board or the National Health insurance people.

Good luck.

[purple_buddha]

[elliemk]

I second the fact that you'll only pay $15 or less for an office visit. The cool thing for me is that my church in Ulsan paid for my first visit and then took me to a member doctor who charges nothing!
If you're a Christian, find an English speaking church. The minister there is more than happy to help you!
Good luck.

[i_teach_esl]

thanks for the replies, all. i work for cdi, no insurance. i did talk to hr at cdi about the insurance they offer, and it's affordable, but it doesnt cover mental health. im looking specifically for a way to cut down the cost on the meds.

i went to seoul natl uni hospital, and it cost me a little over $200. i found a psychiatrist closer to home, private practice, and he's great, speaks english, but it's $180 every visit for the medication.

[purple_buddha]

i_teach_esl,

If you've been in Korea for over three months (on this contract), I wouldn't bother with enrolling in NHIC unless you have other health issues. You'll owe back premiums from the date your contract started. If not, I highly suggest that you visit the NHIC website at http://www.nhic.or.kr/english/index.html

There's a phone number for specific questions not covered on the website, 1577-1000. Ask someone you trust to call on your behalf if your Korean isn't up to the task.

The first question is if you're even eligible to enroll; second, is how much you're going to have to shell out a month. Normally, the employer pays half, but in your case you would probably have to pay 100%; you would need to verify that with NHIC. (If your monthly income is 3,000,000 won, your monthly premiums will well exceed 100,000 won at 100% payment responsibility.)

Mental health is a gray area in Korea. In the case of depression, most of the mainstream medications used to treat it are covered under NHIC, but you need to make sure the prescribing doctor is willing to bill his/her services this way if you acquire coverage under NHIC. Some won't.

If you come up empty with NHIC, you should enroll in CDI's private insurance anyway. You never know if or when you're health may be an issue. You could get clipped on a crosswalk tomorrow by a reckless food delivery driver or end up in the hospital with pneumonia.

Good luck!

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Freakstar]

[porkchops&applesauce]

I'm signed up with a few recruiting companies and am looking foward to a job teaching ESL by Feb/March 2008. I have a mental health issue and take 4 psychiatric medications (along with 3 asthma meds). I am wondering how mental health staus affects a teacher's insurance, job situation, etc.

I mean, do I have to get a "diagnosis" from a local Korean doctor--something I am not sure I would want to get back to my employer b/c of stigma and prejudice. Or will a Korean doc provide "medication management" of meds I am currently taking and have been for some time? Also, what is the Korean psychiatric/psychotherapy situation like. Is Korean society modern & sophisticated enough to handle the stress, distress and generalized neuroses of a typical New Yorker? Can anyone advise on these topics?

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Freakstar]

[Young FRANKenstein]