Korean Job Discussion Forums

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

ok forgive the megook slang there - the point is sometimes i have to use this clinic and i always come out of there feeling so screwed without being kissed; that is, because they charge so **#@ much for foreigners!!!

this time it was necessary to get a referral for a specialist for a problem i have; they made the appt and i came, the walked me over to another area of the hospital where i had the consultation, then i came back and paid the international clinic - when it turns out i could have actually paid over at the other area of the hospital - and i was charged 42,000 won!!! (at the international clinic)

i asked why (ok i know but i did) and they said that was just the drs. fee and it was what they all charged....yeah right - - i know better -

**and yes, i have insurance**

i went back over to the dr i had the consultation with and managed to find out that if i had paid over there it would have been only 20,000 won!!

i was livid, to say the least - i then tried to communicate i'd like to complain about this discrepancy - when she said it was because i was a FOREIGNER oh yes of course silly me what an ass i must be for not realizing that's the reason -

she wanted to know what country i was from?? huh i said and then she wrote the word "congressman" on some paper - and i just looked at her and said i want to complain to someone at the hospital!!

well then she took me over to the cashier and they spoke to each other and the cashier called the international clinic - despite me standing there and saying "don't call the international clinic i don't want to speak to them"

ok so she did anyway and then handed me the phone and it was the same bloody twit who tried to tell me 42,000 won was the same everywhere - i told him i didn't want to speak to him and hung up the phone - much to the gasps of the 2 women standing there - a nurse and the cashier -

they spoke to each other again and said just come directly there next time and i wouldn't have to pay anything at all...i said ok and left

no, they weren't going to tell me who to complain to

dr. linton is in charge of the international clinic but he claims not to know anything about the fees. he's even tried to get me discounts sometimes.

does anyone know how we can find out more about this??? it is just so f___g outrageous yonsei can get away w/this.

and i see so many foreigners coming in there - i really try to stay away but do have to go a couple times a year for specialized medicine.

moosehead

Lost · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

I agree! I stopped going to Yonsei years ago. I found going to a normal korean specialist in a clinic or calling the specialist in the hospital ahead of time saved me big bucks. Try and find the doctors who have their own clinics outside of a hospital...always cheaper. Hell...some times it has only cost me 3000 won. WOW! As for Yonsei......I went in with a bad back......he sent me to have an MRI........1000000 won later..........had some pills and sent home. F^%K! You got angry over 42000 won? MRI's are only covered by insurance if you have cancer. I sucked it up and paid the bill tho.....thought I was gonna die. Be warned all! Watch those sports injuries! And ask before any hospital/doctor preforms tests on ya. Beware of the Doc at the Itaewon Foreign clinic for this one.

sojourner1 · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:04 am Post subject:

This health insurance sucks if you need treatment, especially treatment for serious health conditions. A serious need could wipe you out of several years of savings or worse, you don't have enough money to make it. It is true that there is no safety net here. If your in big trouble with your health and your poor, you're a goner. It is like that in most countries though. I believe America is the only place that will see you for expensive treatment before paying as it is the law for all patients arriving in ER to be seen. But if the health condition doesn't kill you, the anxiety over enormous bills, lawsuits, and poverty will. Old age sure scares me, becuase I am not a rich man, at least not yet anyhow.

alinkorea · Joined: 02 May 2005

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

This is what I have come to understand:

If you go to one of the big name hospitals directly, without a referal, you have to pay a surcharge. I am not exactly sure how much, something like 25 - 50% more than the quoted insurance price.

So, what you have to do is go to a small clinic. The way the system is supposed to work is that if they cannot help you, they write a letter and send their records of you to one of the major hospitals. Then, you do not have to pay the surcharge. -Or- you can just ask them to write a letter saying they could not treat you and then you do not have to pay the surcharge.

Also, until you are diagnosed with something, you have to pay full price. For example, if you want tests done, or even treatment for something that the doctor has not diagnosed. But, once you are diagnosed with an ailment the insurance kicks in and fees are pretty miniscule.

Now, at the end of the day, $40 to see a doctor isn't really that much. I have only been to a doctor in the United States once since coming to Korea, and it cost $100 just to see him, no treatment considered.

Lastly, if price is your concern do not go to an "international" clinic. You are going to pay more for the priviledge. If they start to lead you there, just say "No, I have Korean insurance and I would like to use it in the regular hospital." If they still do not oblige you, you have a legitimate complaint.

If you have a Korean speaking friend who you trust, maybe calling up the hospital before hand and having the person explain who you are and what you want might make things go easier.

Good Luck!

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

huck · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

If Koreans go to the International Clinic, what's their fee - 20,000 or 42,000? If it's 42,000, then you don't really have much room to complain because instead of being racist, you're just paying for the privilege to attend the Intl' Clinic like everyone else.

However, if you mean that Koreans only pay 20,000 won there, then yes...that would be a something that you could officially complain about.

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

silver_butterfly · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Location: South Korea

I went to Yonsei International Clinic about a month ago as I was due to have local anesthetic soon, and they just wanted me to see a doctor first to confirm my asthma was ok for this. I told them my asthma was fine, but they insisted I got this in writing from a doctor.
So I went for my appointment at the Int Clinic, the doctor listened to my breathing, I blew into the breathy thing, and she confirmed just what I had told her, put this in writing and when I went to the desk to pay they charged me 60,000W, I explained I had insurance so then they charged me 40,000W . I wasn't too impressed I can tell you, being charged so much for something I had told them and could have checked myself! Sheesh!
Wish I'd just gone to a Korean doctor smaller clinic now!

So, I live close to Hongik. Can anyone recommend a good small doctors clinic where they may speak some English, that won't cost me so bloody much for little things like above? Thanks.

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

I go to Dr. Linton. Yes, it costs more but he was the only one who could cure me of my misery 4 years ago.

I live in Daejeon, though, mind.. so for normal things I just go to our family doctor, he does pretty well... but if it's something more specific, I go to Dr. Linton.