Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smiley_gurl]

Hey all,

with the lovely spring weather I have been presented w/ 2 choices for a recent completely ruptured Achilles tendon: have the surgery here in Korea for w3 000 000+ (no health insurance, but even with health insurance, my hospital said that it would be only 1 million or so less) or return to my homeland of maple syrup and beavers and get it done there.

Were it down to paying $3000 CAD to have it done in Canada, I would immediately fly back home as I am a little wary of having an operation in a foreign country without my family around. I'm a little scared of surgery and have never needed something like this before. Also, the local hospital I went to was not very confidence-inspiring, being a little shabby and run-down. However, I'm sure if I had the money and wanted to, I could probably go to Seoul and pay for the best and newest hospital. Unfortunately, I have lived in Korea for far too long and the last time I was back home was at least 2 years ago. As a citizen of Canada, any medical treatments would be almost entirely free only if one has stayed in the country at least 6 months out of the year - a criteria which I do not fulfill.

Does anyone know how they would check this? I just spoke with one Canadian hospital manager and the estimate was $8000-10000 CAD/day (!) if I was found to uncovered by the Medical Services Plan because I had been out of the country for too long. I can't forsee hospital staff quizzing me in detail if I had been out of the country, but if I do get charged that crazy amount for surgery in Canada, I would most definitely not be able to pay for it. So what do you think I should do???

[jonpurdy]

Technically, being out of country for three months or more means you should've already let them know to cancel your health insurance. If you have been filing taxes (not paying but simply filing) they could potentially check this.

If you haven't done taxes or let them know you're out of country you might be fine. To be honest, I have no idea.

If I were in your position I'd just get it done in Korea and be done with it. Also consider purchasing international health insurance. $700/yr would cover something like that anywhere in the world.

[ren546]

[youtuber]

I am guessing you don't have to pay provincial medical premiums?

They won't question you. And don't bring it up. It's none of their business.

Get the surgery in Canada. You won't have easy access to "after service" once you leave Korea and you have no recourse if the surgery gets botched.

And you'll save money.

[smiley_gurl]

An update for future posters who encounter the same problem...

Due to the urgency of my situation I had to get my surgery in Korea. However, I went to another hospital to get a second opinion and the price was appreciatively cheaper than the original quote from the first hospital, and this second hospital didn't seem as shabby. Coincidentally, a Korean friend who speaks really good English also worked as a nurse in an unrelated ward at the 2nd hospital, so she was an important factor in my decision.

I was really really scared since it was my first ever surgery and hospital stay. However, the surgery was successful, and everything was professionally done. The pain after surgery however, was EXCRUCIATING and beyond describing and I would not wish it even on my worst enemy. From the epidural spinal shot to the moment the the painkillers from surgery wore off, it was definitely not a walk in the park. I would've liked to have had my family and really close friends from home around at that time. Initially, I was told I had to stay in the hospital for at least 2.5-3 weeks for my injury because it was too serious, but in my particular situation, I was able to get out of the hospital after 1 week. If you're going to do surgery and need to stay in the hospital in Korea, know these things:

1.) always pay for a second opinion if your injury is not too serious. Private hospitals have different rates. However, health is the most important, so do not prolong beginning treatment because of money!

2.) only the doctors can speak English- you can see him/her daily, but the nurses who are responsible for your post-op care will not be able to communicate fully with you

3.) don't be afraid to get a communal room as I quickly made a lot of friends w/ my other 4 roommates and their relatives. My hospital room for 5 was very spacious and if I hadn't had the entertainment of the 2 girls and the 2 older ajummas staying in my room, I would've gone crazy from boredom. It's really really REALLY boring just sitting on your bed w/ your leg propped up all day. I got 3-9 visitors a day but the days were long. You can always request a private room later if you don't like the company. Depending on your roommates, it could get really noisy but whenever I wanted to sleep I just had the nurse drawn the curtains around me and put in my earplugs

4.) make sure your room is relatively near the bathroom and shower rooms if you're completely immobile

5.) you will be DIRTY - you can't shower fully and depending on your surgery, won't be in the mood to shower or take care of the niceties of normal hygiene so things that will facilitate a cleaner appearance for your visitors might be good: bags of underwear or disposable substitutes for ladies- pm me if you don't know what I'm talking about!, wet wipes, face wipes, dry shampoo, a little perfume...

6.) as expected, the 3 hospital meals a day are nothing to brag about, but not terrible either...think university cafeteria food. There are no snacks so your visitors can supplement your meals

7.) be prepared to wait ages for every little thing/request (except if you are in a lot of pain, then just hold your thumb down on the nurse bell until one appears). It took all morning for me to be discharged. From the quoted 9am time I had to wait until well after noon for my bills to arrive so that I could pay them and go home

8.) if you have time, read up thoroughly about your surgery online so that you know all the options and can talk to your surgeon about them before you go in the operating room


Finally, as a Canadian in my situation, I have no regrets at this moment about having chosen to have surgery in Korea. Everything at my hospital was professional though having a friend work at that hospital and translating/helping me the entire time was especially helpful.

[itiswhatitis]

I don't know how the other provinces work but I know that
in Manitoba that you have to be in the province for 6 months in order
to be covered. This meaning that you can get coverage immediately but that you have to be a resident (have been there before or staying after) for at least 6 months.

Having said that they have no way of knowing if you stay 6 months.

Should you decide for Canada:

-Go to the local government office (make sure before you go to Canada that your province will allow your coverage to begin immediatley) and tell them that you have recently moved back permanently from South Korea. They will never know the difference if you leave after the surgery.

Personally I would still go for Korea, you are here now your Canadian health insurance obviosly isn't going to cover your airfare.

Good luck!

[Couchsurfer]

Financially, it might be better to try to get insurance here and get it done here. Canada offers too much unknown. If I had to guess, you will not be charged for it. Canada simply has too many people coming in and out of the country to regulate it. If your Canadian health card is still valid, they will likely recognize it.

Another factor is waiting time. You will likely wait shorter time here. You want to get on the road to recovery as fast as possible, n'est pas?

I have heard so many horror stories about staying in a Korean hospital. Do you have someone who can act as your gopher for getting water for pills, help you dress, etc? Korean nurses are worse than useless. They do nothing for you. Also, the other patients all become like babies, causing discomfort for all around them. They smoke in their rooms, etc.

[Weigookin74]

If you're from eastern Canada, count on going on a waiting list for surgery too. You won't get in and out right away. If you have to pay for the medical care in Canada as a non resident, it could be more expensive than Korea. Though I suspect cheaper than the USA. Going to a good hospital will probably give you good care. The government health insurance here covers a third of surgery costs. So, either have access to private insurance, a high limit credit card, or a pile of cash on hand. Glad it worked out for you.