Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Do foreigners pay for health insurance in Korea? Do not foreign employees have a deduction? Can foreigners easily find private health insurance providers in Korea? If doctors will ovecharge the government, then would they overcharge patients?

Koreans Shoulder Highest Medical Burden Among OECD Members by Na Jeong-ju
"Korean people have paid more fees than OECD countries to receive medical benefits because the role of the public health insurance system is limited," said Kim Se-hwan, a KIDI researcher for health insurance policy.

Doctors and pharmacists have been accused of manipulating treatment records of patients to impose extra charges for the government and patients, jeopardizing the health insurance system.


Many diseases, including tooth ailments and expensive checkups for childbirth are still not covered by health insurance in South Korea, keeping the financial burden for individuals high. An increasing number of people have been turning to private insurances policies for better services, but their prices are considered too expensive ....
by Na Jeong-ju, Korea Times (October 27, 2004).
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200410/kt2004102716285010510.htm

Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
"A few days ago, the medical bill was over 100 thousand won for a simple treatment for a cold at a hospital. Koreans didn't seem to pay that much and I wonder whether hospitals charge high prices because I am a foreigner."...Overall living conditions, including education, housing, medical care, ... but also special discriminating practices, such as the practice of submitting two years of monthly rent in advance like a deposit, which is required of foreigners just because they are foreigners, are ubiquitous.
by Jae-Dong Yu and Soo-Jung Shin, Donga.com (July 04, 2004).
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448