Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Typhoon]

It seems expats are costing Koreans too much money so a new bill has been proposed. I don't understand it 100%, but it appears this will only effect new comers.

Expats to Pay For 3 Months of Health Insurance in 2009

From January of next year, Korean expats who use domestic healthcare institutions should pay for three months of health insurance in advance. If they pay the monthly average regional health insurance fee of approximately 60,000 won they are covered by domestic health insurance as soon as they enter the country, which some claim it equates to a 'free ride.�
Health, Welfare and Family Affairs Minister Jeon Jae-hee said that it is advancing a plan that requires expats to pay for three months of insurance, which could become effective in January next year.

Earlier, at a debate about parliamentary inspection, Son Sook-mee of the Grand National Party, requested a solution to expats� medical fees which, covered by national health insurance, amounted to 41.2 billion won for the past five years, and 14 billion won last year alone.

The number of expats registering for health insurance has doubled to 19,600 last year, from 9,600 in 2003. The number of treatments issued has surged more than three-fold, from approximately 110,000 to 350,000.

[cruisemonkey]

Sure, expats come to K-land just to get hooked up to a litre of IV everyday.

[ttompatz]

It is simple political posturing (and foreigner bashing) by a politician for political gain and nothing more.

FACTS:

-We can't get coverage or even enroll in the NHIC until we have an ARC (which excludes short term visas).
-When we finally do get our ARC and do get enrolled into the NHIC we have back payments from our entry into Korea until the time of our enrollment (1 or 2 months back payment + the current month = 3 months).
-Most foreigners (D-class, E1,2,7, etc.) who are entitled to coverage (other than F1,F4) are required to have a medical before you get your ARC (and if you don't pass you get sent home and are never enrolled in the NHIC system).

It effectively has no meaning or consequence to those who are here on legal visas.