Korean Job Discussion Forums

haunted2 · Joined: 10 Jun 2005

Hi there. We are coming to Korea in Sept and I was wondering if there are any diabetics out there? I am a Type 1 Diabetic (insulin dependant), and I wanted some insight on your experience over there.

I've had other international/ cross cultural experiences living with this disease, and both while living in very 'rudimentary conditions' (for lack of a better word, and am certainly not referring this to Korea), so it isn't a huge unknown for me. However, I am preparing to come now and am doing my fair bit of research to prepare myself for the medical system over there, availability of my insulin, etc... and would love some advice and insight.

Thanks for any help you could give!

haunted2 · Joined: 10 Jun 2005

oops- I should have mentioned, I'm Canadian. But you could come from anywhere!

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

My only second-hand experience was with a friend who had gestational diabetes. They had her self-injecting insulin, and actually hadn't verified she could self-inject, so actually I was injecting her. She did not have any monitoring equipment, and went in once a week to have her levels tested. I was shocked at this, but everyone else seemed to think this was normal. The hospital was able to provide a carb count list for Korean foods (in Korean.)

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

Bring a year's worth of insulin if you can. It was a nightmare trying to find it here last summer and the Korean health plan doesn't cover enough of the cost to make it worth your while. You should be able to get it at one of the big hospital clinics but I could never get them to write me a prescription for more than about a month's worth at a time.

Blood testing supplies should be pretty easy to find (in Seoul, anyway, I don't know where you'll be...)

joelseymour · Joined: 18 Apr 2005

haunted2 · Joined: 10 Jun 2005

Wow- thank you all for all of the great information. It is also great to know that there are some others out there. Whenever I've spoken to a friend of a friend here in Canada who has gone to Korea, they kind of screw up their face when I mention the big D. It is always an intimidating thing I know for the uninitiated, however I didn't know that I'd ever get any answers.
Maybe I'll throw a few specific questions out as well:

Does your health plan actually cover some of the perscription? I've been screwed before on health plans which consider it a 'pre existing condition' and cover none of it. (although they do cover the long term complication needs- blindness, amputations, etc... when they eventually arise from not taking care of yourself)...(don't get me started on that logic...)...

Also, I was wondering about when you do buy insulin there (I was thinking of stocking up 4-5 months when I go and starting the insulin search when I get there), do you need perscription. Here in Canada you can buy off perscription if needed.

I guess finally I really want to know the price differences for insulin/test strips for Korea and Canada. Any general ideas of costs over there?

Thanks again! The contacts you've passed on and the prep info have been great- and the info on the carb count for korean food is an exciting lead (I'm such a geek)

joelseymour · Joined: 18 Apr 2005

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

The health plan covered some of my insulin, but not much. Maybe 25%? I'm really not sure though, it was a while ago. You definitely do need a prescription to buy insulin here.

I remember paying about 80000 won for six of those insulin pens (18 mL total I think, if that means anything.) Test strips were 25000 won for 50 for the kind I use.

I hope that helps a bit...

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

haunted2,

People used to be able to walk into any pharmacy and get whatever they needed until about 3 years ago. At that time, there was a change to the system here. Doctors argued that they were missing out on the benefits/controls of prescribing medications. You can still get some stuff over the counter such as needles and test strips, but you will need a presription for your insulin. And, yes, you have to go back to the doctor to get a new presription each time. As others have mentioned, you should try to ask for at least three bottles of each type so you don't have to go back too often. Depending on where you are, some products are harder to find than others. For example, I can't get Lispo in any pharmacy in Busan. However, Humulin R(Toronto) from Lilly Korea is easy to come by. I think, with coverage, the cost per 10mL bottle is between 4 and 5,000won. Without coverage, it would cost you about 15,000won per bottle. Still much cheaper than Canada if you have no coverage and I don't want to get into the Blue Cross "schemes". Probably the biggest area of concern is if you ever have a "reaction". It'll only cost you about 7,000won including the ambulance - and you're out in about two hours once your sugars are stabilized - pretty efficient and maybe explains why it's cheap. The prices/coverage I'm mentioning are based upon the National Health Plan. There are other plans offered. There are also some medical supplies stores which may offer you some fancier products, but won't be covered. I have the plan not only for the presriptions and the possibility of being hospitalized due to diabetes, but also because it's "insurance" which may be helpful if I get hit by a crazy driver or something here. I also had some problems with my teeth and only had to pay 350,000won for a root canal, gold crown, and multiple visits. The same procedure could've cost me $1,000 back home. Many foreigners here go without insurance. You can also save a little money by not having it and just paying for your insulin yourself. It's your choice, but I would recommend getting it.