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awright538
Joined: 12 Oct 2011
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 Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:55 pm Post subject: E2 Visa medical check question |
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| Hi! I have recently accepted a job offer at a Hagwon in Seoul and I have a question about the medical check I will have to take for my ARC. My recruiter and school have not yet asked me about my health conditions. I am drug and contagious disease free, but I was born hypothyroid and I have to take 225 mg levythyroxin daily. Is it possible to get this medication from Korean healthcare? Should I or is it possible to take a supply of medication with me? Any experience with this sort of non-contagious medical condition would be helpful. |
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Rutherford
Joined: 31 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:26 am Post subject: |
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I can't comment specifically on levythyroxin but I know several girls being treated for thyroid problems. I don't know of any major medicines that aren't available here but you should check just incase. I would use google to find the number of some of the international clinics at big hospitals here. Call around until you find one with helpful English speaking staff. They might also be able to tell you the price of the medicine with or without national health insurance. If you're American, depending on your insurance situation you might save a lot of money by waiting and getting a prescription here rather than buying a year's worth at home. At the same time it can take some time to get your insurance set up so I would recommend bringing around 90 days worth just incase.
Do not write this condition down on your medical form for immigration. Do not tell your school or recruiter about it. The only people who need to worry about it are you and your doctor here. The hospitals will not report you to immigration for seeking treatment. |
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awright538
Joined: 12 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:34 am Post subject: |
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| @ Rutherford, thanks for your reply. I checked here before mentioning it to my recruiter and school because I've heard that immigration office is strict about any kind of medical conditions with foreigners because of strain on the national healthcare system. And the schools follow suit. Money is not an issue; if I can bring a year's worth of medication with me I will, but can I bring it into the country? And also, what if I am asked by my recruiter/school directly about any health conditions? If I deny them, can't this catch up with me during my medical check? |
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awright538
Joined: 12 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:36 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Do not write this condition down on your medical form for immigration. Do not tell your school or recruiter about it. The only people who need to worry about it are you and your doctor here. The hospitals will not report you to immigration for seeking treatment. |
@ Rutherford, thanks for your reply. I checked here before mentioning it to my recruiter and school because I've heard that immigration office is strict about any kind of medical conditions with foreigners because of strain on the national healthcare system. And the schools follow suit. Money is not an issue; if I can bring a year's worth of medication with me I will, but can I bring it into the country? And also, what if I am asked by my recruiter/school directly about any health conditions? If I deny them, can't this catch up with me during my medical check? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:16 am Post subject: Re: E2 Visa medical check question |
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| awright538 wrote: |
| Hi! I have recently accepted a job offer at a Hagwon in Seoul and I have a question about the medical check I will have to take for my ARC. My recruiter and school have not yet asked me about my health conditions. I am drug and contagious disease free, but I was born hypothyroid and I have to take 225 mg levythyroxin daily. Is it possible to get this medication from Korean healthcare? Should I or is it possible to take a supply of medication with me? Any experience with this sort of non-contagious medical condition would be helpful. |
Don't count on being enrolled in the NHIC if you are at a hagwon.
Be prepared to foot your medical bills on your own (in spite of what your contract says).
Meds are cheaper here than in the states.
MOST meds that you can get in the states are available here.
Doctors are cheap ($3-5 if you have insurance and $5-15 without) for a basic consult.
As to dealing with immigration, they probably won't worry about it BUT (big but) if they do you will be flying home at your expense. Your meds won't show up on your drug check for your medical but your condition might.
The same is true if your employer takes exception after the fact and you have no protection under labor law.
Bringing meds with a prescription are a non-issue PROVIDED they are in their original, sealed packaging (and the prescription is on the label or you have a copy).
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