Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gnomead]

I'm waiting for the final test results on Tuesday, but I've basically just been pre-diagnosed with lung cancer. Obviously this is a game changer on every level, to say the least, but my most immediate concern is about treatment and I have a whole slew of questions and concerns in that regard.

Just to throw some out there:

1. I'm a U.S. citizen with no U.S. health insurance. Therefore, because of the "pre-existing condition" clause, treatment in the U.S. is most likely out of the question. Other than staying in Korea, what are the alternatives? I don't really know if this scenario falls under "medical tourism", but if so, what or where are some possible alternatives?

2. I'm a hagwon teacher on the Korean National Health Insurance plan. If I choose treatment in Korea, what happens to my insurance when treatment begins and I'm no longer able to work? Will I be dropped?

3. Same thing with my visa: what happens to it when my hagwon discovers that I'll be on indefinite sick leave? Will I need to switch to a tourist visa, and again, what happens to my insurance in that case?

4. What's the best hospital in Seoul for foreigners? I initially went to the closest one to me in Nowon-gu, Eulji Hospital, but they're not exactly set up to deal with foreigners, and communication was difficult.

5. At Eulji Hospital, I had to have a Korean friend act as a sponsor or guarantor in case I tried to skip out on my bills. He had to be there to check me into hospital admission, stay the night when my blood pressure plummeted, and return to check me out and, unfortunately for him, translate the diagnosis. This was a major inconvenience for him and a little traumatic in the end. Is there a way to sidestep this requirement? Because I can't imagine having to put someone through that for a potentially long and traumatic period of treatment.

I know that's a lot to put out the but I'm at a complete loss here. Obviously the best thing for everyone, especially my family, would be for me to return to the U.S. for treatment, but I don't think that's going to be an option. So, can anyone who maybe has had some kind of experience with a major illness here recommend a place to start looking for some answers?

Thanks.

[Died By Bear]

I hate to be the one to tell you, but unless you have already bought two or three extra insurance policies, your national health insurance isn't going to cover treatment for lung cancer *maybe a little* in Korea.

Your best bet is to get on a plane and go home. Your family, if they can help you, is going to be your best option. If that's not an option, you still need to get back home to get treatment. They're not going to turn you away because you don't have health insurance. Poor people get lung cancer and they get treatment. You may not get the best cancer doctor in the USA, but you'll get help.

Go home. Don't stay in Korea and run up the bills. I don't know what stage your cancer is in, but don't lose hope just yet.

Good luck.

[stephorama]

This is copied directly from http://csn.cancer.org/node/172789

Here are a few ideas for potential financial support.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/financial-resources

This site is put up by the National Institute of Health or some such, and is government-supported.

Cancer Care, a non-profit org., offers free support and counseling for cancer patients by oncology social workers. They have face-to-face counseling and counceling on the phone. Support groups on the phone are available too and are moderated by an oncology social worker. Call 800-813-HOPE. They can also give you info about financial resources. Check their website: www.cancercare.org

Gilda's Club - www.gildasclub.org - they offer free social and emotional support. Not sure if they may have financial information but check it out just in case.

Live Strong - www.livestrong.org - offers one-on-one support.

American Cancer Society (here) can also give you financial, support, etc. information available in different cities.

Also - You might find the National Cancer Institute information to be helpful: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactSheetSearch8_3.aspx.
Here you can do a search for government-sponsored and other national organizations that offer financial assistance for cancer-related expenses, including treatment, diagnostics, travel expenses, etc.

You will probably qualify for Medicaid and you might be surprised by the good options you have for treatment. Please go home and be with your family and take care of yourself.

Best wishes to you.

[Kimchifart]

[young_clinton]

[calicoe]

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma, but please know that you are not alone. People struggling with cancer in the U.S. without health insurance number in the millions. Regardless, I agree with the unanimous opinion on this board that you should go home, ASAP. As Stephorama has posted in their links, there are still lots of resources for you at home, including much, much needed support. You do not need the added stress of being a foreigner here. Start doing your research, and making contacts to some of those support agencies now, and clear a path now for your landing.

Please come back to this thread or reach out to anyone here if you need support while you are still here. I have included a couple of links as examples and support if you need it. There ARE others who have recovered.

http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/hc/Initiatives/Cancer-Costs/Cost-Information/No-Health-Insurance.aspx

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/603861/natural_cancer_cure_man_who_cured_lung.html?cat=68

http://www.inspire.com/groups/lung-cancer-survivors/discussion/remission-9/

[gnomead]

Thanks everyone for injecting a little sanity into my overtaxed mind. I don't know what I was thinking considering staying in Korea. I just don't want to burden my parents with medical bills in their retirement. Hopefully there's alternatives to that. I really have no idea how any of this works on any sort of level.

Thanks especially to stephorama for the links and information. I'm one step closer to getting this thing sorted out and on a plane home in the very near future.

[BURNBURNRUBBER]

i don't have any info to offer, but i just wanted to wish you the best.
stay positive! you'll get through it.

[Kimchifart]

[schwa]

Yikes.

But the pre-diagnosis could still prove wrong. Hang tough & best luck.

[joeteacher]

[NYC_Gal]

I truly hope that it was a mis-pre-diagnosis. Best of luck! I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you.

[gnomead]

It's great to be feeling the love from everyone. I know it's not the case for everybody, but I've had (with almost no exception) nothing but positive, helpful answers to even my most clueless questioning here. I'm always amazed by the wealth of knowledge and support I find on Dave's.

I'm not holding out much hope for a missed pre-diagnosis but they did mention that it's operable, so at least it must be in an early-ish stage. Either way, I'll be getting a second opinion once I'm state-side.

Thanks for the love.

[Isehtis]

**** deal mate.

All the best

[southernman]