Korean Job Discussion Forums

klyfusprufrock · Joined: 18 May 2007

Hello everyone,

I've been wondering lately about what might happen if I am to become sick in Korea. I heard a real horror story about the medical care in India from a friend who taught there, so I figured I'd inquire here about Korea. I'm aware that the school generally pays half of the insurance cost, but are the hospitals trustworthy for the most part? Couldn't be much worse than here in the U.S. I suppose.

Kyle

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Not sure where you are from, but as a general rule the care in hospitals is good and the cost is way less than in the USA or other places. I have had the occasion to require surgery here in Korea (not major surgery) and the cost comparison was astounding. I was in the hospital for 10 days following my procedure and with everything being the same in the USA the cost was

$2,800 in Korea compared to $37,000 in the USA

Here is one thing...In Korea if you have major medical, they will not pay out until after the third day in the hospital. This is why people tend to stay in the hospital longer here. Also, if you have more than one medical policy, each policy pays the bills rather than working cooperatively to pay the bill, sharing a smaller portion of the cost, i.e. I have three policies, so each policy pays for everything meaning that my bills are covered and I have extra money in my pocket. They have no supplimental work disability, so I figure this is why the medical pay is set up the way it is...

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Tob55, could you talk about what medical insurance you have beyond the standard (50-50 with the boss). It sounds like you went out and got extra medical insurance. How much, what companies, how'd you hear about it? Thanks!

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Few people realize that the cost of insureance in this country is relatively inexpensive, even for foreigners. There are a number of insurance companies which will enroll you in their major medical plans.

I currently have Meritz, AIG, and Dongbu health Insurance. The total cost of my major medical plans per month is about $150 US dollars. I would be happy to provide some additional information about how to get it, but I must talk with my wife first to be clear on the process. (That is no problem, but she is at home and I am at school now)

Here is how it works:

Now, the medical will not cover your normal clinic visit things unless it is a procedure that required you to go to the hospital ans stay for the magic three days I mentioned in the other post.

Please ask your questions and I'll try to answer them today...

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

Are there doctors or hospitals you can bribe to say you stayed there the whole three days if you went home to get better in your own comfy bed?

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Unfortunately, the rule is that you must be confined to the hospital for the policy to pay anything. They are very good about keeping track of people. My wife had an accident last year and was in the hospital for two weeks. She could leave the hospital after a certain period of time for an afternoon so she could come home and take a shower and clean up in our apartment rather than the hospital, but other than that she had to be in the hospital bed at night to sleep or else she would have been discharged. Now this was after the time when her benefits already kicked in so it didn't matter that much, but in the case of confinement the policy requires that you are physically in the hospital for three days minimum...

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

I am over 65 and my Korean medical is even better than I thought. My last doctor visit cost me 1200 Won and that was synovial fluid put in both my knees. It covers dental - not prosthodontics or big stuff - but my last to repair a couple of fillings was free.

I had two cataract sugeries done at Yonsei ove the past three years and paid about 1000 buck each - a good part of that to the darned International Clinic.

The quality is state of the art and first rate, but it is a little tought to get the doctor to tell you what he is doing.

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

I am over 65 and my Korean medical is even better than I thought. My last doctor visit cost me 1200 Won and that was synovial fluid put in both my knees. It covers dental - not prosthodontics or big stuff - but my last to repair a couple of fillings was free.

I had two cataract sugeries done at Yonsei ove the past three years and paid about 1000 buck each - a good part of that to the darned International Clinic.

The quality is state of the art and first rate, but it is a little tought to get the doctor to tell you what he is doing.

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

Were you admitted for three days for these procedures?

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Yes I was admitted for the procedures, it involved a nose and throat surgery which was rather nasty and painful, but it really amazed me that my physicians in the USA could have done the same thing, but chose not to for financial reasons. Anyway, yes it must be an admittance to the hospital...

The outpatient stuff is covered up to a percentage, but I am not aware of the break down....

I spoke with my wife who said she would be willing to help people who want to find out how they can get their own major medical here in Korea. She is Korean and has quite a bit of experience with this from having to help me when I got my insurance. She will do it for free, but PLEASE don't take advantage of my wife's generosity. She is a good Korean woman who thinks rather highly of 99% of foreigners here, so you will help her keep that impression if you treat her kindly...Thanks

If you want details or information on how to contact us, just PM me... Very Happy

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

i had surgery to remove my appendix in march this year. school payed into the insurance scheme 50/50 with me. i have no complaints at all about the standard of care and total cost (i had to pay about 150,000 in the end after the insurance). make sure your boss is paying into it - it could save your life (as it probably did mine!)

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

There is just no good reason to avoid having some kind of insurance. I have several friends who had accidents in this country and it pretty well wrecked their plans to save any money and in a couple of cases it forced them to seek help from family back home because they didn't have enough money to cover the bills even though they were much less thanthan whrer they were from...

joyjoy12 · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Do these other companies cover prescription meds?

Also, I need to continue with the same prescribed meds I'm taking here now but don't know if there is an equivalent in Korea. What's the best way to get this medication in Korea if I find out that they do have it available there? Can I just go to any doctor in Korea and give them the complete name for my meds and they'll write out a prescription for me? Or is it better to have it shipped in from home?

sojourner1 · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:51 am Post subject:

Seems clean, friendly, and efficient, but you only get 3 days maximum on any prescription per visit. It's easy to walk into a doctors office and get basic care. There is no 1 month supply of anything in a bottle, you get 3 days supply in little packets regardless of the type of medicine. Often, to supplement the lean prescription situation, they give you a shot in your left buttock which seems to often be very powerful stuff. Infusions are common here too where you get an IV of vitamin enriched plasma.