Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Drew345]

I'll be in a Korean Hospital for about a week for a knee surgery. My first time.
I've visited friends in the hospital a couple of times, I see they stay about 6 to a room and tend to have a full time friend or family with them. I've got some friends who can cover me during the difficult first few days. I have the standard Korean insurance issued through work.

Sooo, do hospitals here roll out the food at meal time? Or do friends need to bring it?
Any idea how much a private room would be? Pretty sure I won't be going that route, but curious.
Any other tips to surviving a week in a Korean hospital?

Thanks,

[isitts]

Yes, they bring you the meals.

Single room is more expensive, but if it's important to you, I'd say it's worth the cost. But I only needed to be there a couple days. I don't remember what the cost was. It depends on the hospital.

Good luck with your surgery. Of the countries I've lived in (including my own), Korea is where I'd prefer most to have surgery done.

[Drew345]

Thanks for the info.

I think in America a private hospital room would be about $2000 a night (just a guess), because American hospitals are all about gouging the insurance .
So I guess Korea is about $200 a night? Still too much for me if staying a week.
But if $50 a night Hmmmm, now thinking about it.

I guess I could just call the hospital, but somehow I don't think I would get a straight answer. They didn't really answer many price or insurance questions on my initial visit.

Anyway, would love to hear experience about any hospital stay, costs, and advice.

Thanks

[thrylos]

If the single/private is too costly, look into a double- less expensive and, if you're lucky, you may get it all to yourself. (and there's an extra bed for a friend to crash on, if needed).

Food is worse than a student cafeteria meal. Luckily, delivery options abound.

Make sure to experience a smoke outside with some soju in a wheelchair with the IV dripping...priceless!

[denverdeath]

As others have already said, it's going to depend on the hospital, and which room you choose...you COULD also choose to choose "western food", but I heard that that would be a REAL mistake, so don't do it! Would also cost you a lot extra.

Anyway, I've been in a single room, a double room, a four-bed room, and a six-bed room. If you want "privacy", you definitely want a single. Prices seem to be much better these days than the last time I was in a hospital/clinic in a single room...think it has to do with rises in contributions on the populace's part? Sometimes you can't even get a single if there isn't one available at the hospital that you're getting your treatment at. Last time I was in a hospital for about five days, I was in a four-bed room. When I first arrived, only three people were in the room. One person left that same day near lunch time. Next day? Next dude left around 4pm. I then had the room to myself for the rest of the stay. Food was especially awful as I had tonsillitis...actually think it would've been edible if I was in for knee surgery though. It was like the army. Same times every day....7:30, 12:30 and 5:30 for your three squares...you'll get something similar. You're pretty much on your own for care. Nurses make sure you don't die. They give you tests(blood, temp check), meds(pill bags), and shots(in your butt or IV); but, not much else.

I mentioned "privacy" as nurses, doctors, and other randoms will walk into your "private" room when you least expect it....like when you're having your 1st great dump in a few days, or just about to fall asleep after not being able to for three days, or you're buck naked after stepping out of the shower. Anyway, it can all be fun.

You may have to pay 2,000 for your actual surgery, but you'll never have to pay 2,000 nightly here for a bed, food, and basic care. Korea's system is the heaven found between canada's hell and america's hell, in my humble opinion.

Enjoy and get well soon!

Don't forget to bring your phone and charger along with a couple of books, a towel or two, toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap. Cups and coffee(if that's your thing) will help a lot, too. Oh yeah, a fork, knife, spoon, and chopsticks as well.

[edwardcatflap]

[Drew345]

Looks like I'll be trying a 6 person room. Going the full-insurance route.
Enjoying the tips on staying in the Korean hospital.
It won't be a western place, it will be in Gangbuk 강북. Haven't seen another foreigner there on any visit so far. But it is a big place,and knees are their specialty.

[denverdeath]

[CentralCali]

I spent a month in a hospital in Busan about 8 years ago. I lucked out and was put into a private room, the hospital dietitian had no problem at all with catering to my vegetarian diet (except the one morning the eggs were fried in fish oil--yep, I skipped the egg that morning), and the doctors and nurses were quite professional and more than competent. Grand total for me at the end of the whole month for the stay was around US$1,500.

Visitors to in-patients usually bring fruit and six- or twelve-packs of fruit juice or fiber drinks. If you're in for an extended time, you might want to mention that to your non-Korean friends who plan to visit you so you can round out your diet while in the hospital.

[Drew345]

Iin hospital now. So.far so good ㅎㅎ