Korean Job Discussion Forums

matthewwoodford · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.

How many people have medical insurance cards? Do you get them automatically? Does your hagwon help with medical costs?

Naturally, I ask because I'm looking at major dental bills soon which could be reduced a lot by having a card. I've never had one before but my hagwon says they'll apply for one when I get my passport back from immigration.

Does anyone have any light to shed on this situation?

Thanks.

Matt

canuckistan · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:38 am Post subject:

When you get your Alien Registration Card from immigration (along with your passport), your hagwon administration takes it to get you registered with the National Health Plan. 1 week at the most. You will then get your Alien Registration Card back along with your health "card" (which looks more like a mini foldover brochure) Your hagwon should pay 50% of the cost of your health insurance, you the other half through salary deductions.

By the way, becoming registered under the National Health Plan automatically notifies the Pension Office. Again, your hagwon should pay 50% of your pension, you the other half as part of your salary deductions. It is sometimes good to check with the pension office after a few months to see if in fact your hagwon is submitting both pension payments as they sometimes make all (or none of) the deductions and then fail to pay them to the Pension Office. If you're Canadian, you're eligible to get all the pension contributions back when you leave Korea.

While some minor dental procedures are covered under the health plan, most are not. Happily, dental work is probably cheaper in Korea than your home country.

rudyflyer · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Location: pacing the cage

hey most dental is covered I've had root canals (many of them here) and each one has cost around 60,000 won. Only thing thats not covered are crowns and major fillings, those can be relatively expensive 300k for a crown for example

yesterday I had a tooth extracted at a state of the art dental hospital, it took 15 minutes, no pain and here was the kicker total cost 6,820 won!!!! $5 American, unfrigginbelieveable

the Americans could learn something from the Koreans about health care

canuckistan · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 7:36 pm Post subject:

OOOps! Good to know...

peppermint · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:19 am Post subject:

Does anyone have any contact #'s for the national health plan? My new school is claiming that foreigners can't get covered under it, even though I've been covered by it at two different schools.

It seems like they want to do the right thing- just don't know how!

Alex Buffa · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea

Why not discuss this with your immigration office? Since you are asking them for help, and it's a problem with your boss not fullfilling his responsibilities, I would consider it. The # for the immigration office is written on your ID card.

Just call and ask for a phone number. You'd be surprised how helpful they can be.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:36 am Post subject:

It's nothing that severe- yet. They offered me medical insurance through a third party, which is very expensive, and they seemed very suprised when I asked about the National health plan. They did say if there is a way, then they will do it though.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.