Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

I went to the dermatologist a few weeks ago and only paid 15,000 won. The same visit in the US would've cost at least $70, if not more. Before I moved to Korea, I went to the doctor for a "checkup". The only thing that happened was they took my blood pressure with the arm pump and the doctor talked to me for a few minutes. Cost: $180.

Also, dentistry here is only a fraction of the cost in the US. I haven't been to a dentist here yet, but I assume (hope!) the quality is similar.

So, what gives? Anyone with some knowledge about the medicine biz able to explain this?


Cheers,
Q without U~

[tzechuk]

Uh...

Medical costs here are subsidised by the government.. in the US, you have to buy your own insurance, which doesn't cover all the costs - I am told your insurance only covers around 70%?

Also, I believe labour cost here is a little lower than the US - GDP per capita is 40,100 in 2004 est. (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html#Econ); whereas Korea's GDP per capita is 19,200 2004 est. (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ks.html#Econ).

Furthermore, my husband said that medical costs are already a lot higher than, say, 10 years ago. And that they don't make money out of normal, everyday illnesses, rather, they make money out of stuff like being admitted to the hospital and staying overnight, or having surgeries etc...

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

For the same reason EFL teachers' salaries are so low: there are so many, and most of them are shoddy.

Sparkles*_*

[JacktheCat]

In short,

No tort lawyers.

[Qinella]

Three very different responses. Man, I hope Sparkles is wrong.

[kangnam mafioso]

insurance covers a percentage of it. i paid about 10,000 won for doctor's visits with insurance. in the usa, it cost me about

in general, things are cheaper in korea than in the west.

[kermo]

I sliced off a bit of my finger, and couldn't get it to stop bleeding, even after 12 hours and the help of a local doctor and a first aid kit.

I went to the emergency room, where they shot me full of antibiotics and wrapped up my finger nice and tight. They charged me 140,000. I didn't cry when I sliced up my finger, but I wept when they handed me that bill.

[Qinella]

[Hater Depot]

Managed care has been a failure in the US. Single-payer nationalized solutions will always be cheaper, even if they come with risks of their own.

[hojucandy]

[Paji eh Wong]

Jack the Cat's right. Malpractice suits are basically unheared of. Most of the cost of healthcare back home is eaten up in insurance.