Korean Job Discussion Forums

daisy · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Location: Ulsan

I work for a small school and the cost of medical is 75K won per month. This seems a little high to me. Does anyone know the cost of seeing a doctor with no insurance and disadvantages of not having insurance? All advice appreciated.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2003 5:53 pm Post subject:

Do you have a spare arm and leg? I've spent over 200,000 won for treatment of common flu symptoms, and that's with my refusal of the hypodermic needle.

shaun k · Joined: 23 Jan 2003

i have an arrangement with my boss that we dont pay for insurance for me, but if i need to visit the doctor, she will pay half the cost. luckily i have a boss i trust without reservation...and i have been here for 14 months now with no doctor visits. that works out to be at least a savings of 1.1m won so far (my end). and from what ive heard of the national health insurance, it doesnt cover everything well (the very big ticket items, for example). i have korean friends who pay for extra insurance for that very reason.

if i do have some problem, im sure it wont cost more that what ive saved so far. all insurance is just a giant monthly bet that something WILL go wrong. so far ive hedged pretty well. when you only have yourself to look after, you can take a chance like that.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

eaglenovan · Joined: 02 Feb 2003

Deleted

whatthefunk · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue

I recently went to the doctor for a throat infection. Nothing serious...with medication and everything the total bill was around 40,000 won. I don't have Korean insurance, I just have international health insurance from the states, and I didn't use it for my visit. I would recommend getting the insurance though, because it would suck if you had a major accident and had to pay out of your pocket.

GirlFromMars · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Corea do Sul

it is worth getting the insurance but still fairly cheap without, provided nothing major happens to you (it's a risk).

my first visit to a specialist was 40,000 the two followups were 10,000 each. this is before i organised insurance.

a girl at my work had to spend the weekend in hospital. it cost her 500,000 WITH insurance, however without it would have been well over a million without.

your employer should pay half of your insurance each month. if you have a high premium it probably means you are covered for more so it's still worh it.

GFM

HardyandTiny · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

It's cheap, just don't go to the thief at the itaewon international clinic!

howie2424 · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

wow, I'm suprised. I've visited the doctor in my little town twice since I've been here, both for colds/flu thingys. Both times the examination and prescription cost me 3500 won.