Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Grant]

I had a friend who was working at Seoul Nat. University last year and was not teaching English. As far as we could tell he had the same state health insurance as the rest of us who were all teaching in hogwons.

He hurt his shoulder snowboarding and had to have surgery in Korea. Turns out his insurance only covered something like half of the costs. He was on the hook for about 700,000Won.

So if I manage to get myself seriously hurt in Korea it seems possible I could lie in the hospital for a long time racking up astronomical medical bills which I don't have money to pay.

Anyone out there with experience dealing with the Korean medical system and Korean insurance. I've thought about buying private insurance in Canada to make sure I am fully covered.

What say anybody?

[Mody Ba]

A very good question.A lot of people over here are so busy having fun (or God knows what ) they seldom think about serious things like this,Okay,I will get off my soapbox and address your question.

Your idea to get supplementary insurance(to cover what the Korean insurance will not cover) is an excellent idea.I think you may find,however,that most domestic insurance firms in Canada will not write policies for foreign insurance.They NEVER do...and they certainly will not want to consider it now,because of SARS.I know...SARS is not a problem yet in Korea,,,but Korea is in Asia...and in the popular mind...Asia is THAT PLACE OVER THERE

There are some companies which specialize in providing overseas coverage.I will get the name of one I have used and post it for you tomorrow.

Another thing people working overseas often do not think about(or want to think about,for obvious reasons) is what happens if you die overseas.You can also get insurance to have your body shipped back to your home country.I know.It is a morbid subject.But it happens.You would not want your mortal remains collecting dust in some foreign infirmary,I presume.

I had a former housemate who went to hospital,rang up the big bills(he had NO insurance,for reasons I will not go into here)...passed away,was in the infirmary in the hospital...and they tried to get ME to pay all of the bills,because the guy had been my housemate.I think they finally wound up writing off the bills and providing a burial free of charge,as a charitable gesture.They really did not have any other choice.

[jamesH]

maybe your answer is wrapped up in the lengthy explanation and overview:
http://www.efl-law.com/faqs_17.html