Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aphasia83]

Firstly, I never so much as travel without medical insurance. I know the risks and I don't see the point in taking them.

However, on a theoretical level, I was just wondering if medical insurance is mandatory in Korea. I will probably be responsible for finding my own insurance, should I choose to purchase insurance; it's not a benefit that my employer is obligated to provide (according to what I've been presented with so far).

For a person without insurance, what would it cost to visit the doctor if you were ill and maybe needed some antibiotics? What would it cost to procure and fill a birth control prescription? Are things like dentists' visits and optometrist visits covered in the insurance?

Thanks for your help.

[jackson7]

If you're rich, medical insurance is not necessary. If you're the real-life version of Wolverine, you'll be healing up nicely so don't worry about a thing. However, if you're mortal, healthy, and don't live in a padded room with CCTV cameras monitoring you and feeding you sterile paste for safety...get insurance.

Read the news stories about the poor teacher who didn't have insurance and got caught in a fire. His family is stuck with some serious medical bills (although some very generous people have been helping...if you have the link please post it here).

Finally, what crappy contract did you sign that doesn't provide you with national medical...unless you're coming here on a hush-hush-no-E2-hoops gig. In that case...get your own private insurance...you never know when it will come in handy...that's why it's called insurance! ^^

[bondjimbond]

I was supposed to be given insurance as per my contract, but it never happened... supplementary question, then. I need my Hepatitis A booster pretty soon, and on no insurance, what would that cost me?

Addendum to that question: What would it cost WITH said insurance?

[rsmm0224]

I can't answer your question but to the best of my knowledge (And I could be WAY wrong here) the basic insurance is kinda like just already there and your hagwon is supposed to pay the government mandated carrier or something like that. Everytime I go to the doctor, which is often since I work with 5-6 year olds, I just show my ARC and its like 2500w. I did get some paper but I have no idea where that is anymore.

Anyway, that's what someone told me so please, if you're in the know, confirm or denounce this.

Now, what ISN'T covered are things like accidents and "preventative care". I got a tooth pulled for about 20,000w total over three visits but my coworker paid nearly 50,000 for a cleaning. Guess that's why nearly every one of my students has more metal in their mouths than a buick.

[Oreovictim]

[ttompatz]

NHIC medical insurance (national medical insurance) is required by law for ALL foreign employees in Korea.

It has been mandatory since Jan. 1, 2006.

[aphasia83]

So does this mean that I should make sure that the medical insurance deductions are outlined in my contract? Is the employer obligated to pay part of it, or does the law only specify that I must be covered (and thus must pay 100% of the costs myself)?

[ttompatz]

[I-am-me]

If your boss is not paying medical, he probably isn't paying your pension and therefore probably pocketing your monthly income tax. Got to the tax office to make sure you are registered. This is a MUST!

[maddog]

[ttompatz]

[aphasia83]

Okay, to be more specific, I will be paid an hourly wage. Does this still mean that I have to enroll in the national medical insurance scheme? And is my employer still obligated to contribute?

[ttompatz]

[Dazed and Confused]

Is insurance necessary???? In my 11 years in Korea I've seen among teachers:

3 cases of appenticitis
2 knee injuries requiring surgery
hemoroids that needed surgery
more pregnancies than I could ever imagine
several abortions
4 broken bones
1heart attack
1 case of diabetes
so many cases of food poisoning I can't count them
many sprained ankles
various dental problems. Some needed emergency treatment.
various surgeries
AND DON'T FORGET BILL KAPOUM and the kyopo who died of cancer

The national insurance is cheap and covers quite a few things. Even without you could probably cover most things but if something serious came up, could you fork over 10 grand to pay for treatments???