Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ironclad80]

hi, simple question....

if my hagwon pays 50% of my insurance, and i go to an international clinic to get more of the anti-depressants i brought with me, will this in any way get back to my employer because they pay for a part of my insurance?

[Dazed and Confused]

Not unless someone from the clinic or pharmacy called your school and told them what you were prescribed. OR you took a Korean translator from your school and they reported back to the boss on your mental health.
Doctors shouldn't be telling your work place of your health status unless you're a danger to others- i.e. swine flu or tuberculosis. But this being Korea where nothing for the white guy is private........well.....You can guess what happens.
If you need a doctor to respect your privacy, I or others on this board can give you a recomendation.

[ironclad80]

thanks for your response.

so basically as long as the doctor is honest and i don't tell anyone at the school there is no way they can find out? even if they pay half of my insurance?

actually, i'm not in korea yet. but i'd rather be prepared than sorry. when i arrive i'll contact you for recommendation about an honest doctor. i'm gonna try to bring about 3 months supply, i'm not mentioning this on my E2, do you think it will be a problem in immigration? all bottles have my name on them and i can photocopy prescriptions.

thank you so much!!

[proustme]

Msg me when you get here. I have depression (dysthymia), and can help you with contact information for psychiatrists. Where will you be moving? I go to a local hospital for my medicine. The first Korean psychiatrist I had spoke English, but moved to Stanford University with her husband for his fellowship, so now there is a younger psychiatrist taking her place. I used to have 45 minute talk sessions philosophical and psychologically based.

Now with the new psychiatrist, I just go, tell her briefly how I'm doing, and I'm out of there. She speaks beginner's English, but everything is fine because I've been going there for 2 years and counting. She prescribes my medicine I've been one, giving me a month's supply, and I'm out of there. I take 2 medicines. I get a month's supply for both for a total cost of 45,000 KRW. The doctor's visit is just 12,000 KRW. Better prices on all of this in Korea.

Basically, don't tell your employer about your depression or where you go for medical treatment. It's better to err on the side of caution here. On your medical form before you start you job, don't mention it. You can take care of your health just fine. Come here with about a month's supply of your medication, that's for sure. You'll want to hit the ground running once you arrive. Shop around and find a psychiatrist. Go to the local public hospitals first, then the private clinics. You don't have to tell them where you work. When I got here I search this forum and found an English speaking doctor's contact information at a local hospital. Most psychiatrists at public hospitals are willing to work with you. Tell the doctor what you're taking and how much you were prescribed in the U.S. He or she will likely send you away with a prescription, which you'll then take to the pharmacy beside the hospital. It's all pretty straight forward. A note here: public hospitals require you to have a national health insurance card. It takes about a month for you to receive that from your employer. You might have to go to a private clinic for a month or so before you get your card. You might end up going to one of many private clinics, which cost more (60,000W), depending on your preference for extended sessions of psychological talk sessions. However, I've found that most private clinics don't offer that. They simply charge you a high price, talk with you for 10 minutes, then send you away with your medicine. It all depends on what situation you find. Check out public or university hospitals first, that's my advice.

Private clinics and public hospitals are open on Saturdays. I'm not sure how late private clinics are open, but I do know that public hospitals usually knock off around 1 or 2pm on Saturdays. Sundays are a no go for either, I'm pretty sure.

You'll want to make new friends here in Korea upon arrival. However, don't get caught up in going out for cooked pork and drinking through the night. It's bad for your health, especially if you have depression. Korea can be a lonely place. I suggest checking out Meetup.com for social and activity based groups that meet up. In Seoul, there are especially many. Outside Seoul, I'm not sure. When you get here make a post about where you live, and some people are likely to respond telling you where the local hangout is and things of that nature.

As for your medicine and going through immigration/airports, they won't care much about your medicine. Pack it in your carry-on, bring your prescription information, then tuck it all away once you're in the company of your new employer. Again, don't mention your health condition to your employer. It's none of their business, and the culture of employment in Korea isn't welcoming of those who are struggling with mental ailments.

Be well and good luck. Feel free to contact me privately at [email protected].