Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CanKorea]

I'm heading off to Korea on Wednesday and I want to know if you think it's necessary to purchase additional health coverage from here?

I still can't believe how quickly this all comes about!

Cheers

[waterbaby]

Travel insurance / Health insurance is always a good thing to have from the moment you step off your plane. Knowing Korean hakwons (if that's who you'll be working for) bear in mind that it'll probably take at least a month (if not 3 or 4 ) to get your health insurance (legal requirement) through.

So, if you can afford it, I recommend taking out a plan from your home country that you can cancel (& get a refund) when your health insurance here in korea is set up.

Yeah, it does come about quickly (like getting a job - I've read your posts ) but *important* things like your health insurance or accommodation, visa, plane ticket etc are sometimes left to the last minute too...

Edit: But once you have health insurance in Korea (get your little card thingie) I wouldn't worry about insurance from home - it's just for that interim period until you are covered...

[CanKorea]

Okay, sounds good. I know that the Korean Gov health plan (which I would be on) doesn't provide dental or optical. I was thinking of getting year round coverage on that from here.

Eh, I suppose I'll muddle it out. Thanks for the advice!

Cheers

[posco's trumpet]

[BTM]

Health insurance is a racket, and an evil one, until that one time when you need it and don't have it, and the world falls down around your ears.

I've been lucky thus far, and uninsured most of my adult life. *knocks on wood*

[CanKorea]

So it should be enough just to have the Korean government health plan and I don't need supplementary from home?

[posco's trumpet]

[mokpochica]

I recommend to everyone that they get either an ISIC (International Student ID card) card or an ITIC (International Teacher ID card) card, available at STA travel and other student travel agencies. These cards cost about $25 USD and give you travel/emergency insurance, which usually covers you not just when you are on airplanes, but also during the entire time you are in Korea. The program I came to Korea with recommended that we get these cards because the emergency insurance on them was more reliable and covered more than what we received through the U.S. gov. policy. It's great supplemental insurance to whatever you'll get here and you can get discounts some places with the cards too.

Check it out on the web with a google search.

[OiGirl]

I always have an ISIC card but have never had to use its health insurance.

I had dental coverage under standard Korean health insurance...doesn't everyone?

The last time I was in Korea I didn't have any Korean health insurance and made two trips to the hospital for small things (yeast infection and deep gash) ...both cost me under US$25.

[BTM]