Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mynameiskimmy]

Hello!
I've been really excited to track down a job and make my way to teach English in Korea. I've done a lot of research, and feel comfortable/ready for almost everything... except one!
There don't seem to be any answers about the medical insurance, specifically, how inclusive/decent the insurance is for regular use (not emergency situations - it seems like the insurance is good for covering those...)
Being a Type I diabetic for almost 12 years, I've been overseas and in odd situations, but have never lived overseas longer than 5 months - there is no way I could bring a year's worth of insulin with me.
My questions are then - have any other type one diabetics taught English overseas, and how did you handle obtaining your meds? How much does the health insurance cover, and how much did you pay monthly for your insulin? Did you have anyone send you supplies from home?
Thanks so much!
Kim

[joannabanana22]

Hi,
I am currently going through the same thing you were trying to figure out stuff about medications. What did you end up finding out?

[gporumbe]

You need to get an rx from a doctors office for insulin and needles. strips are not covered; they use accu check active here and 50 strips will run around 20k. Insulin I think is about 8k a vial

[Dazed and Confused]

The local university hospital where I live has a diabetes clinic with doctors who have done work in the US. It is great from what I hear and meds are cheap.

[joannabanana22]

Thanks everyone,
What about pump supplies? Should I just bring a years worth of have them shipped?

[wonduhbread]

I'm bumping this topic, because I too am a type 1 diabetic who will shortly run out of supplies. I use Lantus (insulin glargine) and Humalog, both in pen form. Do you think these will be easy to get here? It would be super great if anyone here could share specific details on their experiences with doctors and supplies and things.

[gporumbe]

Go to the snu hospital in ori or anywhere else for that matter. No problem getting pens of lantus or humalog

[killyridols]

you'll have absolutely no problem in SK with this. I've been here 7 years with no worries. I get a checkup every month. Costs about $5. Box of needles $20. Insulin pens are about $4-5 each (lantus, etc).

[wonduhbread]

That's great to hear. Is it mostly in seoul where I'll be able to find the good doctors who speak English? I live in Suwon so it's doable but not terribly convenient, hehe. If anyone has the info on an endocrinologist in Suwon who speaks Engish, please share

[jsouthal]

Hi everyone, I am also a Type 1 Diabetic and I am currently in the process of applying and preparing to come to SK. My main question is what did those of you who have diabetes say to your schools/recruiters when you were applying? Did you tell them you have it? I have been told by a recruiter to lie and say you don't have it, but then I would be worried about what would happen if someone found out about it in Korea, and knew I had lied. I will also need to eventually get more insulin and supplies while I'm there, and have to make sure that it's possible. Any help or advice would be appreciated!