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JeJuJitsu

Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:35 am Post subject: Been Held Prison in the Hospital Before? |
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Just curious. Had a hospital emergency, and luckily was able to get money wired from overseas to pay for what insurance didn't, but when I suggested I go home, and pay the bill later, they weren't having any of that--pointing to the armed guards at the exit of the emergency room at YongDong Severance Hospital, "You can not leave here until you pay."
OK, no problem, as my money was being wired shortly thereafter, but as I was leaving, met another expat who was also "Not allowed to leave until payment is made," even though she was to be paid in a few days.
Freaky.
Has anyone tested this policy and simply walked out? I mean, if I had no access to money, their logic was to keep you there, adding 115k won per night to the total bill, when clearly some people are not in a position to pay all medical costs upon emergency situation.
To rub salt in a wound, I swear to mock us, they ask you for a credit card.
Nice, if they would give us credit cards.
Anyway, make sure you bring your wallet filled with wnough money to pay the total bill if you have an emergecy accident in Korea. FYI |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:50 am Post subject: Re: Been Held Prison in the Hospital Before? |
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JeJuJitsu wrote: |
Just curious. Had a hospital emergency, and luckily was able to get money wired from overseas to pay for what insurance didn't, but when I suggested I go home, and pay the bill later, they weren't having any of that--pointing to the armed guards at the exit of the emergency room at YongDong Severance Hospital, "You can not leave here until you pay."
OK, no problem, as my money was being wired shortly thereafter, but as I was leaving, met another expat who was also "Not allowed to leave until payment is made," even though she was to be paid in a few days.
Freaky.
Has anyone tested this policy and simply walked out? I mean, if I had no access to money, their logic was to keep you there, adding 115k won per night to the total bill, when clearly some people are not in a position to pay all medical costs upon emergency situation.
To rub salt in a wound, I swear to mock us, they ask you for a credit card.
Nice, if they would give us credit cards.
Anyway, make sure you bring your wallet filled with wnough money to pay the total bill if you have an emergecy accident in Korea. FYI |
This is common throughout Asia. No surprises here.
At least here in Korea they don't ask you for prepayment first.
An acquaintance of mine was involved in an accident and was sent to hospital (*not in Korea). He was told that there was nothing they could do for him and he would probably die from his injuries.
He then had them call me.
On my arrival the hospital they discovered that he had an American travel accident insurance policy and a credit card with a large limit.
Amazingly there was a "new" surgical technique they could use and it would save his life AND he could be well in just a few short weeks.
Lots of places in Asia will let you die in the waiting room if you are unable to prove your ability to pay for the medical services. Be thankful you are in Korea.
Last edited by ttompatz on Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Cohiba

Joined: 01 Feb 2005
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:15 am Post subject: Health Care |
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I am totally in favour of a system that makes you responsible
for your own health. And I should add to that: makes you
responsible for your own welfare to. I am planning for my
retirement. I put aside money for when I am sick or unemployed.
Too many people have the "pigs at the trough" mindset and walk
around with their hands out looking for my hard earned cash.
Well not here buddy.
The only people that should get money from the government are
those with some disability or orphans. That's it! |
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JeJuJitsu

Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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Cohiba wrote: |
I am totally in favour of a system that makes you responsible
for your own health. And I should add to that: makes you
responsible for your own welfare to. I am planning for my
retirement. I put aside money for when I am sick or unemployed.
Too many people have the "pigs at the trough" mindset and walk
around with their hands out looking for my hard earned cash.
Well not here buddy.
The only people that should get money from the government are
those with some disability or orphans. That's it! |
Ah, OK, UltraRepublican. Suppose you were here in Korea at 21, right out of college, had not yet had a chance to save, then get hit by a Hit and run driver. Right now, here, it's too bad, you die.
In the USA, they fix you up, cure you, whatever, then ask for payment. I love the USA more and more each day I am somewhere else in the world. |
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SeoulShakin

Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:19 am Post subject: |
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I have been at Yongdong Severance Hospital about four times in the last two weeks for a knee injury. At the emergency room I had to pay, but not until after I was treated (same at the hospital in Ilsan where I was first brought to - long story). My first visit with the Orthopedic surgeon I didn't have to pay anything. My MRI was pay before the service. On my second visit with the Orthopedic surgeon, I was asked to sit in the waiting room after the visit. A lady from the International Clinic came down to bring me to the payment area. I guess this was their way of making sure I knew I had to pay this time.
I've never been asked to pay before treatment, other than the MRI. The MRI was a set appointment anyway that I knew I'd have to pay for, so it didn't bother me. Both times in the ER I had to pay, but not until after I was treated.
Asking for a credit card should not be taken as an insult at all. I used a credit card for my payments, although it was a card I had from Canada. It is not unreasonable to ask an adult if they will be paying by credit card. The one time I wasn't, I simply said "no I'll pay in cash today" and they said "ok no problem". Not a big deal. Overall I found that the service I received at Yongdong Severance Hospital to be quite good, and very compatible with what I'd receive back home. The only difference I noticed was that things got done a lot faster here in Korea - namely the speed at which I got my MRI. |
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hellofaniceguy

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:32 am Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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JeJuJitsu wrote: |
Cohiba wrote: |
I am totally in favour of a system that makes you responsible
for your own health. And I should add to that: makes you
responsible for your own welfare to. I am planning for my
retirement. I put aside money for when I am sick or unemployed.
Too many people have the "pigs at the trough" mindset and walk
around with their hands out looking for my hard earned cash.
Well not here buddy.
The only people that should get money from the government are
those with some disability or orphans. That's it! |
Ah, OK, UltraRepublican. Suppose you were here in Korea at 21, right out of college, had not yet had a chance to save, then get hit by a Hit and run driver. Right now, here, it's too bad, you die.
In the USA, they fix you up, cure you, whatever, then ask for payment. I love the USA more and more each day I am somewhere else in the world. |
That's the way it should be.....nothing to do with being UltraRepublican, goody two shoes or whatever....it's about being responsible and making your own way in life unless you're a youngster being cared for by mommy and daddy.
Like everything else in life...it's about choices, being prepared and after all, you are on your own. |
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JeJuJitsu

Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:42 am Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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hellofaniceguy wrote: |
JeJuJitsu wrote: |
Cohiba wrote: |
I am totally in favour of a system that makes you responsible
for your own health. And I should add to that: makes you
responsible for your own welfare to. I am planning for my
retirement. I put aside money for when I am sick or unemployed.
Too many people have the "pigs at the trough" mindset and walk
around with their hands out looking for my hard earned cash.
Well not here buddy.
The only people that should get money from the government are
those with some disability or orphans. That's it! |
Ah, OK, UltraRepublican. Suppose you were here in Korea at 21, right out of college, had not yet had a chance to save, then get hit by a Hit and run driver. Right now, here, it's too bad, you die.
In the USA, they fix you up, cure you, whatever, then ask for payment. I love the USA more and more each day I am somewhere else in the world. |
That's the way it should be.....nothing to do with being UltraRepublican, goody two shoes or whatever....it's about being responsible and making your own way in life unless you're a youngster being cared for by mommy and daddy.
Like everything else in life...it's about choices and being prepared. |
No, it shouldn't. The USA is superior to your skewed ideal in this regard. We care for emergency medical treatment, and look to get paid later. The US doctors are down with the plan, the voters as well, as these poilicies have evolved over time--but you, Mr. Conservative ESL rich-guy is probably too busy posting in the Politics on behalf of the wanna-be TeamRepublican to understand why this makes a nation superior one that does not care for it's infirm.
Give me 20 minutes in a room with you, I could make you wish you had enough medical care money stashed away (which as an ESL teacher, you do not have, like Cohiba--sure, you lie about having some super-secret safety plan, but you don't).
You guys really are members of the wrong type of message board (ESL in Korea, namely) to be spewing that Republican "save like me, i gottsa zillion!" crap. |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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JeJuJitsu wrote: |
Cohiba wrote: |
I am totally in favour of a system that makes you responsible
for your own health. And I should add to that: makes you
responsible for your own welfare to. I am planning for my
retirement. I put aside money for when I am sick or unemployed.
Too many people have the "pigs at the trough" mindset and walk
around with their hands out looking for my hard earned cash.
Well not here buddy.
The only people that should get money from the government are
those with some disability or orphans. That's it! |
Ah, OK, UltraRepublican. Suppose you were here in Korea at 21, right out of college, had not yet had a chance to save, then get hit by a Hit and run driver. Right now, here, it's too bad, you die.
In the USA, they fix you up, cure you, whatever, then ask for payment. I love the USA more and more each day I am somewhere else in the world. |
Ha!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, right. In my parents' hometown(I don't want to claim it as mine, too), hospitals and doctors' offices have signs that say payment is expected at time of service, unless other arrangements have already been made. I was turned away in college, because I left my insurance card back at the dorm. They wouldn't even bother with me. Even with insurance, you better pray you don't get seriously sick. That goes for just about anywhere in the world. Doctors take their oath and they lie. |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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JeJuJitsu wrote: |
No, it shouldn't. The USA is superior to your skewed ideal in this regard. We care for emergency medical treatment, and look to get paid later. The US doctors are down with the plan, the voters as well, as these poilicies have evolved over time--but you, Mr. Conservative ESL rich-guy is probably too busy posting in the Politics on behalf of the wanna-be TeamRepublican to understand why this makes a nation superior one that does not care for it's infirm. |
Excuse me?? Is this the same good ol US of A where an ambulance will drive 30 minutes PAST the closest hospital with a dying patient on board because of no insurance so they can get to the county hospital (and often the patient dies on route) ??
The same US of A that thinks health care is a business for profit and no different from Microsoft?
Give me a break. |
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aek541
Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Location: Anyang Si, South Korea
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know much about the US health care system. But in Canada you get basic health coverage (i'm pretty sure) just because tyou live there. I got it anyway. But since I've been in Korea I know what its like not to have the money to pay. I got sick last January and I didn't have the money to pay for my bills. I did (but it was all tied up in the banks back home for savings)....I ended up getting my boss to come down to the hospital and pay for my services. It was 300,000 and because my school hadn't finished processing my health plan I had to pay half and the school paid the other half. I think you can never count on NOT getting sick.....opt for the health plan if you can. I also don't understand how people CAN't save money in this country. |
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JeJuJitsu

Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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princess wrote: |
JeJuJitsu wrote: |
Cohiba wrote: |
I am totally in favour of a system that makes you responsible
for your own health. And I should add to that: makes you
responsible for your own welfare to. I am planning for my
retirement. I put aside money for when I am sick or unemployed.
Too many people have the "pigs at the trough" mindset and walk
around with their hands out looking for my hard earned cash.
Well not here buddy.
The only people that should get money from the government are
those with some disability or orphans. That's it! |
Ah, OK, UltraRepublican. Suppose you were here in Korea at 21, right out of college, had not yet had a chance to save, then get hit by a Hit and run driver. Right now, here, it's too bad, you die.
In the USA, they fix you up, cure you, whatever, then ask for payment. I love the USA more and more each day I am somewhere else in the world. |
Ha!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, right. In my parents' hometown(I don't want to claim it as mine, too), hospitals and doctors' offices have signs that say payment is expected at time of service, unless other arrangements have already been made. I was turned away in college, because I left my insurance card back at the dorm. They wouldn't even bother with me. Even with insurance, you better pray you don't get seriously sick. That goes for just about anywhere in the world. Doctors take their oath and they lie. |
You are simply high if you think they don't treat and ask for payment afterwards in a life-threathening emergency. |
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JeJuJitsu

Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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ttompatz wrote: |
JeJuJitsu wrote: |
No, it shouldn't. The USA is superior to your skewed ideal in this regard. We care for emergency medical treatment, and look to get paid later. The US doctors are down with the plan, the voters as well, as these poilicies have evolved over time--but you, Mr. Conservative ESL rich-guy is probably too busy posting in the Politics on behalf of the wanna-be TeamRepublican to understand why this makes a nation superior one that does not care for it's infirm. |
Excuse me?? Is this the same good ol US of A where an ambulance will drive 30 minutes PAST the closest hospital with a dying patient on board because of no insurance so they can get to the county hospital (and often the patient dies on route) ??
The same US of A that thinks health care is a business for profit and no different from Microsoft?
Give me a break. |
Oh no, going to county. Boo hoo. But they treat yout here, don't they. |
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jurassic82
Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere!!!!
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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This is why I hate Dave's sometimes. The topic was on if anyone has been held hostage by a hospital and now we're bashing each others countries. You guys have too much time on your hands and need to get a life. I look to this board for advice when it comes to my job and adjusting to my life in Korea. I feel many of you abuse it and post ignorant comments like what I'm seeing right now. If more of you focused more time on preparing for your classes than on this board making stupid comments then maybe more people would take us seriously as teachers. Anyways enough with my rant. By the way I'm American and I do think health insurance is way too high but at least they will help you if you are dying or seriously injured and let you go home afterwards without threat unless you don't pay later unlike here.  |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Health Care |
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JeJuJitsu wrote: |
ttompatz wrote: |
Excuse me?? Is this the same good ol US of A where an ambulance will drive 30 minutes PAST the closest hospital with a dying patient on board because of no insurance so they can get to the county hospital (and often the patient dies on route) ??
The same US of A that thinks health care is a business for profit and no different from Microsoft?
Give me a break. |
Oh no, going to county. Boo hoo. But they treat yout here, don't they. |
If you survive to get there was my point... Every country has some "free" hospitals somewhere... the problem lies in surviving long enough to get to one or being able to find it when you can't speak the language and are sick/injured. |
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Young FRANKenstein

Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Been Held Prison in the Hospital Before? |
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JeJuJitsu wrote: |
Has anyone tested this policy and simply walked out? |
I did, but not really for the reason you're talking about.
The doctor fixed me up, everything was perfect, then when I went to check out he said I had to pay him an extra 300,000 so he would sign me out of the hospital and allow me to leave.
Um, no, I'm leaving.
No, you must pay me the 300,000 signout fee.
(Aha, he means a bribe) Okay, just put it on the bill so I have a receipt for it.
No, you pay it!
Yes, okay, just give me a receipt for it.
(yelling) You English teachers are so arrogant with all you money!
No receipt, then? Okay. I'm leaving.
You can't leave until you pay me the 300,000.
No, I paid the bill already. I'm leaving. Have a nice day.
(loud Korean curses filled the air behind me as I walked out the door)
I remember someone else having the same encounter. He was the one who gave me the idea for the receipt. |
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