Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

Hi all-

I'm in a bind because I'm not a teacher in Korea, but a researcher, and am on a weird visa that makes me completely ineligible for national health insurance. I was insured for six months with a US international company, but it was ridiculously expensive and so I canceled thinking I could find something better. Now I'm totally uninsured. I've been trying to join new plans (looking specifically at US international plans that insure students abroad) but I'm having problems because 1) I'm already abroad, and in many cases one must apply while still in the US and 2) the few good plans I've found will not allow me to join up because I must be on a recognized student visa, not the weird one I am on (it's a long story- it's an A-3 visa, but I'm NOT military!).

I CANNOT get Korean national insurance- but does anyone know of private secondary insurance companies that I could use as my primary insurance here? Perhaps that are specifically aimed at expats in Korea (particularly people on tourist visas or waiting for their national insurance to kick in after a waiting period)?

I know this is a stretch because teachers are on national insurance, but I really appreciate any recommendations...