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Sophos
Joined: 11 Aug 2009
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 Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:07 am Post subject: How does the National Health Insurance card work? |
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I have been in Korea for about 3 months now and was recently given a National Health Insurance Corporation Card by my school (I work for a public school). They weren't very clear on what I am supposed to do with it but I assume it helps reduce the cost of my medical bills?
Sorry if this has been covered before, I had a look and couldn't see anything on it. Does anyone know what this insurance card is for and how and when I should use it? I've just paid 100,000 won for a 10 min visit to a dr in Bundang and 2 tubs of vitamin pills and am wondering if that isn't a bit steep? It was an English speaking doc at a private clinic (I think). I showed them my health card but they didn't seem interested in it.
If anyone could shed some light on this I would be really grateful. Is healthcare really this expensive in Korea?  |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:26 am Post subject: Re: How does the National Health Insurance card work? |
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| Sophos wrote: |
I have been in Korea for about 3 months now and was recently given a National Health Insurance Corporation Card by my school (I work for a public school). They weren't very clear on what I am supposed to do with it but I assume it helps reduce the cost of my medical bills?
Sorry if this has been covered before, I had a look and couldn't see anything on it. Does anyone know what this insurance card is for and how and when I should use it? I've just paid 100,000 won for a 10 min visit to a dr in Bundang and 2 tubs of vitamin pills and am wondering if that isn't a bit steep? It was an English speaking doc at a private clinic (I think). I showed them my health card but they didn't seem interested in it.
If anyone could shed some light on this I would be really grateful. Is healthcare really this expensive in Korea? |
you got shaken down with your Bundang "clinic". Shaken, big time.
I'm not sure what kind of clinic this was and under what rules/if any they operate under.
You are supposed to present your card any time you go for any type of medical treatment. There are set prices for particular procedures if you're insured (perhaps the reason for your visit isn't insured/covered, you didn't specify your issue) , so unlike the US, medical services cannot be treated as a business, to shake you down for every penny.
had you gone to a public hospital or clinic, your doctor's visit cost would've been 4000-5000 won. I had to go see a dermatologist at his offices last year.. cost me 4000 won. |
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hamsteRRiFic
Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: going around in circles...
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| Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:29 am Post subject: |
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100,000 won for a 10 minute visit? I hope you got a receipt, because you got ripped off royally. The standard charge for a doctor's visit is usually around 3,000 won. Yes. 3,000 won. The reason they didn't look at your card is because they weren't billing your visit to the national health insurance. Most things that you would do at a doctor's office for only 10 minutes would most likely be covered by health insurance, though.
If it was a visit to a psychiatrist or a plastic surgeon or something not covered by insurance, then you would have to pay out-of-pocket.
I would suggest that you have a Korean friend call the doctor and politely ask the standard price of whatever you were doing there for 10 minutes. You might also want to ask a Korean friend to go back there with you and see if you can't get some of your money back. And I'd definitely advise against going to THAT doctor again.
Good luck.
Oh, and MOST reputable medical clinics will even refund you the difference in price if you go in uninsured and pay the slightly higher price, but are able to come back and present your valid insurance card to them within a few days. |
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Sophos
Joined: 11 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:43 am Post subject: |
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Cheers for the replies. Wow do I feel stupid. Thought it seemed expensive. Was just a visit to an ordinary doc or so I thought because I have been having some problems with my nails and hair and was wondering if I might have a vitamin deficiency (I had a deficiency back in home a few months ago and thought it might have come back). Dr said that I was right and recommended me a load of vitamin supplements which cost a phenomenal amount - 50,000won for 2 months of tablets. I'm not used to paying for healthcare as I'm from the UK so thought that maybe this was just a normal thing.
I still have the receipts - the pills were about 76,000 won so the chat with the doc must have been 25,000 I suppose. Maybe I can get my co-teacher to help me to call them and find out if I can get my cash back like ppl have suggested. Does the health insurance3 card cover me for seeing specialists like dermatologists and gynaecologists? |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Sophos wrote: |
Cheers for the replies. Wow do I feel stupid. Thought it seemed expensive. Was just a visit to an ordinary doc or so I thought because I have been having some problems with my nails and hair and was wondering if I might have a vitamin deficiency (I had a deficiency back in home a few months ago and thought it might have come back). Dr said that I was right and recommended me a load of vitamin supplements which cost a phenomenal amount - 50,000won for 2 months of tablets. I'm not used to paying for healthcare as I'm from the UK so thought that maybe this was just a normal thing.
I still have the receipts - the pills were about 76,000 won so the chat with the doc must have been 25,000 I suppose. Maybe I can get my co-teacher to help me to call them and find out if I can get my cash back like ppl have suggested. Does the health insurance3 card cover me for seeing specialists like dermatologists and gynaecologists? |
mine covered the dermatologist. I imagine gynos would be covered as well.
the stuff that won't be covered is probably elective stuff - plastic surgery, botox and the like.
price for those pills seems awfully high too. You may want to look into that as well.
this is not American health care. Health care prices make sense here (wish it were the same with food, etc) |
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Man on Street
Joined: 28 Aug 2010
Location: In the Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:00 am Post subject: Re: How does the National Health Insurance card work? |
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| Sophos wrote: |
I have been in Korea for about 3 months now and was recently given a National Health Insurance Corporation Card by my school (I work for a public school). They weren't very clear on what I am supposed to do with it but I assume it helps reduce the cost of my medical bills?
Sorry if this has been covered before, I had a look and couldn't see anything on it. Does anyone know what this insurance card is for and how and when I should use it? |
You just rub the little holograph thing and it will show either an Autobot or Decepticon face. If it's the latter, you have to pay more. |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Cheers for the replies. Wow do I feel stupid. |
Don't feel stupid. Everyone gets ripped off once in a while. Just make sure you don't make the same mistake.
Here's some info to help you -
In Korea doctors are cheap, as many posters have said. 3000-5000won is the normal price for visiting a local GP. It gets more expensive when you are referred to bigger hospitals such as Severence Hospital in Sinchon. You normally only go there when you have been referred by your local GP.
Some doctors like to rip off foreigners by charging them a "translation" fee. This is an excuse to charge you more for speaking English to you. Do not let them do this. Walk out and go else where. If you have a particular ailment ask your co-teacher to write down a letter you can show the doctor.
I don't know whether vitamins would be covered by your health insurance. I know you can get multi-vitamins in Costco which might be a cheaper option. I'm not sure though. You need to find someone with a Costco card to check for you.
In general, once you have visited a GP's office they keep your details on the computer so don't need to see your card again. However, if it is your first visit and they don't want your card then be suspicious.
Overall don't be afraid to speak up for yourself. If you smell a rat then challenge the decision. I have challenged so many charges at Severence and gotten refunds it's unbelievable.
Hope this helps.  |
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