Korean Job Discussion Forums

[neilio]

For those in the know, I'm curious about the typical health care setup for foreigners. Assuming you get the standard "50%" coverage, what sorts of things are covered and how much can I expect to pay?

Are there any cool services I can get cheap? For example:

Acupuncture, physio, chiro, massage, naturopathy, functional medicine, etc.

Is there a list out there somewhere? I'm in a situation where I have some ailments that i'd like to get treatment for, and would like to know if there's a cheaper route for me if longer term services are needed.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[neilio]

Anyone.

[cabeza]

I think you'll find that very few people any sort of concrete knowledge about the National healthcare insurance system. It's pretty complicated and the Koreans I have talked to about it have given me conflicting information.
Minor things, like going to the doctor with a run of the mill sinus infection, are cheap, usually about 7000 won.
No idea about those alternative therapies, but I'm pretty sure a lot of those are very cheap anyway. My GF was getting acupuncture and was less than 10,000 won a time.
There is little to no literature produced in English about the insurance system so it's hard to know what's what exactly.

[spaceman82]

This might not help much, but I do know that alternative treatments like acupuncture are covered, in part, by the national insurance plan.

[atwood]

[IamBabo]

Like the other guy said, the basics are covered well. But when you start getting MRIs, CT scans, and the like, you are going to pay. My wife (Korean) had eye surgery, and not one thing was covered. Had to pay out of pocket. There was actually a cashier on the floor where she was getting discharged! It was in Songmo Hospital in Gangnam also known as St. Mary's I think.

[talentedcrayon]

I work in the finance office of a large hospital in Canada. I am coming to Korea in November.

I strongly recommend getting additional insurance. I will be purchasing mine with Bupa. In my experience, Bupa takes care of their customers. Its about $1/day.

Korean national health covers the basics. I recommend a plan with a high deductible to cover anything that the national health insurance doesn't cover.

You don't want to be in ICU for 2 weeks at $6-10 thousand per day. Additional expat insurance will save your family from bankrupting themselves just to keep you alive.

I just had a conversation (lit. 1 hour ago) with the family and friends of a 24 year old patient at my hospital. $15000/day and climbing. He might not even survive...(brain aneurysm). He brought crappy insurance prior to coming to Canada. Don't be him! Please... Even if he survives he will never be the same and without insurance our hospital will not help with rehab...

[neilio]

Hmm what about getting blood tests done? like a hormone panel?

[No_hite_pls]

Here is list of the coverage amounts from a simple google search.

http://www.nhis.or.kr/static/html/wbd/g/a/wbdga0405.html

My wife and I have used NHIC for preventative medicine, MRI, ultrasounds, dental work (3 root canals, dental cleanings and about 10 cavities) and the birth of our children over the last 7 years. Our medical bills have been minimal. The MRI was the most expensive thing at 350,000 won.

[KimchiNinja]

[Stan Rogers]

You can get 50% off massages that fall under the sports massage category. It's considered muscle therapy and therefore covered. If you go to other places you'll have to pay the full amount. Just look for a sports massage place and show them your health card when you pay.

[Captain Corea]

[KimchiNinja]

Nice price. Try getting that in the states for $300, ain't gonna happen. Maybe in Canada?

I did a mid-year blood test because I was turning into the hulk at the gym and wanted my testosterone quantified. Dr gave me a hard time asking why, but I said shut up I want the test anyhow, so he said well okay but we won't mail you results only quote you numbers over the phone, but I said shut up I want the full hard copy report mailed to me. He said "okay, 20K won please".

These guys are really super reasonable.