Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

I am in my second year of teaching in Korea. I haven't gotten the health insurance yet this year, due to a lot of reasons. The problem is, I know from previous experience that if I get it now, I will have to back-pay for the 3 months I haven't had it.

Last year, I was sad to discover that my health insurance really didn't pay for much of anything. I only felt like it was sort of like a "major medical" policy, and not worth the 300,000+ won my school and I were shelling out every three months.

One thing that makes me wonder is, maybe I should wait for another few months until I have to renew my E-2. The guys at immigration, as a form of punishment for illegal teaching, only gave me a 6 month-visa, so my E-2 card must be renewed in a few months. Perhaps this will be a blessing in disguise if the health insurance people use my work card as a basis for my insurance starting? I can't remember if they did or not last time?

What do you guys do about insurance? Do any of you have policies with outside companies other than the Korean National Health stuff?

I'd love some discussion on this.

[BTM]

I've been travelling for 15 years, more or less, and only spent a total of maybe two or three years back in Canada, in pieces, during that time. It is possible to be covered by Canada Health thingo when you're abroad, but you've got to be technically resident (for tax purposes too ding ding ding warning warning!) and simply not worth it for the implications if you're long-term expat, I reckon. I haven't been covered by Medicare since like 1991, I think.

I had travel health insurance for my first trip, back in '88, to Europe. Didn't use it.

I've rarely been insured since, except when in Korea, and *knock on wood* never needed it. I've visited the doctor on average once every two years or so and always for minor stuff. I am a healthy bugger (if overly fond of the drink, and used to get bronchitis once in a while when I was an everyday smoker), so your mileage might vary.

It's a crapshoot though -- you'll never need it until you need it, and if you don't have it at that point, you're SOL. It's basically up to how risk-adverse you are. Me, I'm a nutbar, but as 40 approaches, I might start taking more precautions.

Also, I've been told that the health insurance we get with our jobs tends not to cover much that's major, and so is of limited value unless you're a doctor-frequenting sickie. This may be aprocryphal, though, so maybe someone else should chime in.

Also, since it's Derrek asking, I'd advise MAJOR POLICY COVERAGE, at least until your luck starts to swing back into the green, amigo.

[weened]

You should cover yourself, period. Like BTM said, you never need it until you need it, which is precisely when your rocket cab plows into the side of that bus. You may be healthy, but you can't avoid life. I had a tough time getting my school to insure me, in fact they never did, so from here on out I'm going to insure myself. It can be expensive or cheap. Check out what makes you comfortable at: http://www.medibroker.com . This site lists some insurers. Only some. Make sure you check out others.

To help wade through the quagmire check out: http://www.ahcpr.gov

[ratslash]

insurance is there for the unexpected. if you slip on the stairs as you are running for the subway and you bounce gracefully to the bottom of the steps snapping your leg in 3 places - who is going to pay the medical costs?

[mack the knife]

I believe we discussed this in some detail earlier, but...

You need to contact Multinational Underwriters, INC,. They're backed by the big guys, Lloyd's of London. It's relatively inexpensive and covers just about everything barring motorcross and halo jumps.

[Derrek]

Cool... thanks guys. Anyone ever had a claim in Korea using Multinational Underwriters?

[weened]

If you go through the ahcpr site, you'll find tips on how to select a company. One of these tips is to make sure you can have access to current customers or customer testimonials. So if you want to check out Multinational Underwriters, call them; the company should be forthcoming with this information. It's just like wanting to speak to current teachers of a hogwon you're interested in. Case in point: my friend had a permanent disfigurement to his finger and wanted surgery to fix it. The procedure was approved by his insurance company so he got it fixed. A few weeks later the company called and said they wouldn't pay for it as it was a pre-existing condition. He's fighting with them now, but he stands a good chance of being screwed. He wouldn't have done it if they had said no. Choose carefully. Look at many different companies.

[kangnamdragon]

Since we are on the topic of insurance, is there a way to get insured for theft if we live in Korea? If someone steals my computer, I want it to be insured, but I am not covered under a homeowners policy in the States. Koreans I have asked say if something is stolen from their homes, they are not insured.

[jaebea]

Hrm I know that most Australian places I know have generous policies which cover health, theft and emergency cash.

I know this is more for tourists rather than expats/working residents, but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it really is worth the trouble. For example; it sounds morbid, but in case you have a fatal accident, the paperwork and effort in carting your cadaver back to your home country costs a hell of a lot of money. You're not worried about the cost (obviously) but who will foot the bill? Your parents? Wive/Husband + children? Siblings? Just things you should maybe think about.

https://www.qbetravelinsurance.com.au/qbe/index.asp?id=1&ins=681AFE34439CF1A3939F032F7BAB1DDE

That's what's available to Australian residents, around $1500 AUD per year (~1 250 000 won) for unlimited medical expenses, a lot of personal liability cover, personal effects, loss of income and so forth.

I certainly won't be travelling without it, as I'm a big believer of preventative measures to avoid hassles down the road.

I guess it's the fare evasion gamble, at a bigger scale. Do you jump the ticket barrier and risk paying a fine (small small chance, but very possible) or pay up for a ticket (it's money, but not much compared to the consequences) and be safe knowing that you can't be in trouble if you get asked for your ticket?

jae.

[JackSarang]

I was discussing this with a friend the other day. Couple weeks ago I had an ear infection so I went to the Doctor, I hadn't got my health insurance card from my school at that point so I paid out of pocket.

I had to pay 30,000 to see the doctor and my meds cost me 15,000 thats uninsured. Whereas insured it would have been 3000 to see the doctor and about 1500 won for the meds.

The difference isn't all that great, and really isn't worth being insured month to month for minor things like that. But then, I figure if I ever break my leg or get hit by Scooter doing 100 around a blind corner... then I'd want the insurance.

[weened]

Jaebea was discussing repatriation (the return of your lifeless husk to the country of origin). American Express offers this service as an additional service for customers. It's part of a travelers package that also includes insurance for lost baggage, cancelled flights, and some other things that my pounding head won't let me remember. It's only an additional $45US a year (I think). This might be an option for those people who want don't want to stick their families with a bill but feel confident enough not to buy insurance. Also, I don't think the Korean Health Plan thingy will cover repatriation. So, again, another way of covering yourself. Most of the international plans include repatriation in their policies so if you go with one of them, you're probably covered.