Korean Job Discussion Forums

[highdials5]

Hi,

I am yet to receive my Health Insurance certificate, so does anyone know how much an appointment at the International Clinic in Itaewon will cost?

Thanks...

Rich

[cdninkorea]

If you're uninsured I believe it's about 30,000 won.

[David Lee Roth]

Don't bother with the International Clinic in Itaewon. Just down the road from there is Soonchunhyang Hospital (Hannam-dong) where they also have an International Clinic. Dr. Yu will take good care of you.

[highdials5]

[David Lee Roth]

The hospital is a 5-minute walk from Itaewon Hotel. As you walk up over the hill past Itaewon Hotel you'll see a street going down on your right (if for some reason you get lost, ask a Korean where Hannam-dong is). Walk down that street about 3 minutes and Soonchunhyang Hospital will be on your left. The International Clinic is in the 3rd building on the 2nd floor. Get there right at 9 when the clinic opens and you won't have to wait. Dr. Yu is fluent in 3 languages (Korean, English, and Spanish) so you won't have a problem with communication. There's a pharmacy conveniently located right across the street from it.

[cdninkorea]

What are the advantages of the other Int'l Clinic? I'm quite happy at the Itaewon one, but if the other one is much better for some reason...

[David Lee Roth]

A number of reasons, but because of Korea's insane libel laws I won't go into too much detail.

1. No lab facilities.
2. Messing up basic diagnostic procedures: e.g., when a patient presents with sore throat accompanied by white patches and fever you MUST test for strep. This can be done quite easily with a rapid antigen test that produces results in 15 mins. Strep is not something to mess with, as it can kill or leave one with serious long-term complications. Ever wonder why when you go to the doctor with a sore throat, the FIRST thing they do is take a throat swab?
3. Several people have mentioned the doc there is very "liberal" with mental health meds. The reputation is such that I've seen religious Koreans outside the place handing out anti-drug pamphlets.

Soonchunhyang has:
1. In-hospital lab facilities.
2. Dr. Yu, for the most part, knows what he's doing.
3. As far as I know, he has a good reputation.

However, I would avoid the ER there -- par for the course in most hospitals -- as it's usually staffed by residents.

[Css]

do you know the opening times for the other place David? i cant get there in teh mornings.

[YailBloor]

Just went to Soon Chun Hyang this Saturday. Great facilities, great service. Thanks for the suggestion DLR. The clinic's hours are 9-5 M-F, and 9-12 on Saturday. Here's the website:

http://schuh-internationalclinic.com/index.asp

[Css]

[YailBloor]

I'd make an appointment if I were you. 02-709-9158

[Kimsmith]

I'd also recommend SCH over Dr Kim in Itaewon. I've been there without appointments, but you'll save time if you have one made before you go.
Dr. K is nice enough but, as has been pointed out, lacks the facilities of a bigger hospital, and is overly fond of his prescription pad.

[Css]

Well i checked it out..

SCH is great..everyone is really friendly and helpful..doctors, nurses, everyone..

[jamo]

I went to Sinsoae OBGYN in Gangnam on Sunday...they have open hours - first come first serve - on sundays from 11- 4....and they were awesome. super nice, comfortable, in and out in 20 minutes...

seriously would recommend going there. gave me a prescription for a UTI and did a pap smear and is going to text/email the results.

They were amazing...so comfortable, nice and even kinda funny.

02-53-5712

gangnam station, exit 7 walk straight 50m and it's on the 5th floor of Tou les Jour

Oh! and a simple pap was only 20,000w and a more thorough was 50,000w

[Sinnerman]

Technically, if you have an E2 visa, you are covered under insurance. Even though you don't have the card yet, you are paying for the coverage from the moment you step off the plane. Keep any receipts, and you can go back to the clinic to get reimbursed once you have your medical insurance papers.