Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OBwannabe]

Hey there,

I'm currently living in Canada and was injured on the job about 8 months ago. It has been a nightmare jumping through the medical hoops here. Misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis. Wait times for specialists/testing/scans. This entire process could quite possibly take years.
I'm 99% sure of what's wrong with me (sacroiliac joint dysfunction). Difficult one to positively diagnose which is becoming very frustrating.

I've not enjoyed the 2 years I've been back in Canada after spending 5 glorious years in Korea. I would really like to come back, but am hesistant to due to the possible lack of health care coverage. Getting treated here is a nightmare, but at least I'm covered and have a steady paycheque coming in and will continue to have one whether I can ever fulfill the duties of my job, or not.

What would happen if I were to move back to Korea? My back/pelvis issue wouldn't hinder me in my teaching capabilities on a day to day basis. But it is possible that at some point in the future I will require surgery. Either ligament reconstruction or sacroiliac fusion. Possible fusion to the L4/L5/S1 of the spine as well.
If surgery were required I'd obviously need extended time off for rehab. MRI's and other sorts of tests are quite expensive. Would any of that be at least partially covered under National health care? How about if I was married to a Korean? Would that provide me with a more comprehensive health care plan?

I know if I was at a hagwon there's no way of keeping my job if surgery, or extended time off was required. Is there any other sort of teaching job that might offer any sort of protection?

I would love to hear from anyone who has had to deal with a serious injury or surgery while teaching teaching in Korea. Any info would help. There must have been people there who have broken a leg, had a heart attack, trauma to the head, or some other fun stuff.
Info would be appreciated.

[fustiancorduroy]

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[OBwannabe]

[Captain Corea]

If you are married to a local, you can possibly be covered if you are unemployed.

[fustiancorduroy]

[edwardcatflap]

[fustiancorduroy]

...

[edwardcatflap]

[OBwannabe]

[Troglodyte]

Are you already married or engaged (to a Korean)? Or were you just considering the possibility of a marriage of convenience?

[schwa]

To get hired, you'll have to lie to prospective employers about not having any health issues, but if as you say you can do the work you can get a job.

Most hagwons will dump you if absences are a constant issue. Public schools arent very tolerant of that either but you do have a longer vacation if you need to schedule surgery. Thats what a buddy of mine with serious back issues is doing. His school overlooks the occasional times he's hobbled because he still shows up to work.

As others above indicated, national health insurance will give you about a 50% break on treatment costs. On a global scale, medical care in Korea is probably a bargain, but unlike in Canada, you'll likely have to fork over a few hundred or a few thousand dollars for serious procedures. Quality of care should be modern & okay.

Even if you were married here, you'd still be subject to the same coverage caps. Many Koreans buy additional insurance for that but pre-existing conditions wouldnt qualify.

Best luck with your decision.

[Joe Boxer]

For most doctors in Korea, surgery is the FIRST option. If there is a possibility you may need surgery, you can bet the Korean doctor will tell you need it ASAP.

As a pro boxer with brittle bones, I've had to see many doctors here for hand injuries. I had a doctor here tell me that my wrist bones were too far apart, and he wanted to put a surgical vice/clamp inside, to bring the bones closer together. I told him that I wanted to get a second opinion, and he was PISSED.

After having elbow pains, a different doctor told me that I need to have my elbows operated on, and have the ends sugically sanded down. I went and got an second opinion (thank God), and that doctor showed me some wrist stretches that loosened things up in my elbows, and the pain ended.

OP (and everyone else!), get second and third opinions, but don't tell the other doctors! They get very upset.

[OBwannabe]

[Captain Corea]

[schwa]

Theres a tradition among Korean teachers in public schools to pass the hat if one of their colleagues is hit with a sudden expensive emergency. What goes around comes around.

But soliciting from strangers on the internet for unnecessary help is deplorable.