Korean Job Discussion Forums

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Hello,

I'm having some semi serious health problems that could probably be nipped in the bud If I got treatment in the next few days. (involves my bowels, I shan't elaborate.) My employer has left me uninsured so that she can bring me to the Korean language doctor of her choice and be present through the whole meeting. Obviously I can't get real treatment that way. Can anyone recommend a good English speaking doctor in the Seoul area? How quickly can I get into see a doctor here? And what will an exam and diagnosis cost without insurance? Any advice is appreciated, the faster I get to a doctor the better.

swetepete · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Location: a limp little burg

Should be no more than a hundred bucks for a visit to the doc, as long as he doesn't need to do any x-rays or surgeries. The scrip will be cheap as well.

What's up with the no insurance thing, though? Your employer is putting you in a bad situation. Give her the bill, I say.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Yes, give her the bill.

If she doesn't pay see the labor board.

Have you tried prunes?

cbc

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

JAZZYJJJ · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

PhD · Joined: 15 May 2007

[quote="PeterDragon"Can anyone recommend a good English speaking doctor in the Seoul area? How quickly can I get into see a doctor here? [/quote]

Severance Foreigner clinic at the Sinchon subway station. Everyone at the clinic speaks English. Walk in (AM before 9) and they will see you that day. Saturday, no appointment is required.

Call the Health Insurance people and they will make your employer pay up.

tyleranthony · Joined: 17 Mar 2007

i teach a doctor in my class and asked him the same questions (med insurance doesn't kick in for 60 days)... he straight up told me to just borrow somebody else's health insurance card. i was really surprised by this answer but he explained very simply that nobody gives a f*ck and will bill you at an insured rate as long as you present a card. i struggled with this concept for a bit, but he just said use another teacher's card, have the script written in his name, and have your buddy go pick it up for you. don't shoot the messenger...i'm just relaying what i've heard on to you. worth a shot if its an emergency.

SarcasmKills · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

It'll cost you less than 20 bucks to go without it... Is it really worth holding out?

Get your chocolate-shake-leaking arse to the doc pronto...

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

As I understand, all Koreans have insurance whether they work and have a card or not. They are either insured through their employer or through their "dong" office.

Also, it is absolutely illegal for a foreigner to reside in Korea without insurance. This is major no - no. You need to tell your employer that he or she is responsible for paying half of your medical insurance and it should be done immediately. Furthermore, since you will have to pay back payments from the time you arrived, he should be minimally responsible for half the back payments.

Now, if you personally agreed not to take on the insurance payment as a way to save money; the adult thing would be to do one of two things. First, tell your employer you made a mistake and you want insurance. Second, you should just lump it and pay your medical bills yourself.

If you think this is a really serious problem that will entail technology and on going treatments, insurance is probably the best way to go. If you think it is more simple in nature just pay a little more. Medical attention is not that expensive here. If you are worried about the costs ask them up front how much will it cost to visit, to have treatment, to get medicine and then decide what it is you want to do.

And, for anyone who is thinking that not having insurance is a good way to save money or if your hakwon boss suggests it, don't do it. I can speak from experience, medical insurance is well-worth it.

As for the person who was talking about using someone elses card, this is not uncommon in Korea, especially for an uninsured relative. This happens quite often. But, if you do find someone who is willing to share their card with you (first of all, I would suggest using a Korean) that person still should come to the hospital with you and explain to the doctor.

Also, it maybe possible to get treatment and/or referals from your dong office.

Good luck!

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Thank you for all of your thoughtful responses. I have no insurance, and there is no sign of an insurance deduction from my paycheck. None of the other Western workers have insurance either, so I can't borrow another card. As one of my co-workers put it about getting insurance at this Hagwon, "they discourage it". Knowing that it only costs double without the insurance, I may as well just go in tomorrow and pay. Figured I'd just try a day of holiday bedrest and fluids, but (pun intended), it didn't do shit for me. I thank all of you for the advice. I'll try Itaewon or Sinchon tomorrow. Is it hard to get a doctor's note so I can miss a day at work. If I manage to legitimately snag a day off, I think they might be mad enough to fire me, so I don't have to biuy off my contract.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

If you insist on insurance, you will get it. My last job insured none of their teachers.....EVER. They had a large staff, and had been in business for 5 years prior to my getting a job there.

I bugged the owner every day, and got a card the day after I said I would not come to work.

Any way, even if you have no insurance, the price of a visit is very cheap.