Medical & Insurance

Types of Hospitals
(Note: Koreans often refer to a variety of places that perform medical procedures as 'hospitals' to English speakers, and will go to the 'hospital' to treat a cough or ear infection. Use of this term even extends to include aesthetic clinics.)
General Hospitals: Very large hospitals with practitioners from many areas of specialization. Facilities can usually accommodate more than 100 patients. (3rd stage medical facility)

Hospitals: Large hospitals with practitioners from many areas of specialization. Facilities are smaller than that of General Hospitals and can usually accommodate more than 30 patients. (2nd stage medical facility)

Clinics: Small hospitals that specialize in a particular type medical specialty. These include ear, nose and throat clinics, internal treatment clinics, eye clinics and polyclinics (covers everything). (1st stage medical facility)

Oriental Clinics: Hospitals that are specialized in oriental medicine and procedures such as acupuncture.
 
Process for General Medical Procedures
Admission (Present medical insurance card at reception counter and explain ailments) -> Wait to be called at the appropriate department -> Examination and treatment -> Payment of medical fee and receipt of the prescription -> Take prescription to the pharmacy and purchase medicines
 
Korean Expressions for Symptoms
The following is a list of phrases that may be helpful during a visit to a clinic or hospital. Many medical practitioners in Korea do know some English, however, and are often familiar with medical terms in English.
- I have a headache. (Moriga apumnida.) 머리가 아픕니다.
- I have a fever. (Yeoli issumnida.) 열이 있습니다.
- I feel chills. (Hangiga namnida.) 한기가 납니다.
- I have a bad cough. (Gichimi simhamnida.) 기침이 심합니다.
- I have a cold. (Gamgie gulliosumnida.) 감기에 걸렸습니다.
- My throat hurts. (Mogi apumnida.) 목이 아픕니다.
- I feel dizzy. (Ogirubsumnida.) 어지럽습니다.
- I have a stomachache. (Baega apumnida.) 배가 아픕니다.
- I have indigestion. (Sohwaga andoibnida.) 소화가 안됩니다.
- I have diarrhea. (Seolsarul hamnida.) 설사를 합니다.
- I've sprained my ankle. (Balmogul bbiosumnida.) 발목을 삐었습니다.
- I have a toothache. (Iga apumnida.) 이가 아픕니다.
- I have lower back pain. (Horiga apumnida.) 허리가 아픕니다.
- My bone is broken. (Bbyeoga burojosumnida.) 뼈가 부러졌습니다.
 
Pharmacies
Pharmacies fill prescriptions from doctors as well as sell medications for minor ailments like headaches, digestion problems and colds. But if you need a heavy medicine, you need to go to a hospital first and get a prescription. Shops usually have '약' on their signs. They are very easy to find, as there are an abundant number of stores, often in the same building as hospitals and clinics, so you can easily get your medicine.
 
Medical Insurance
In principle, foreign workers are entitled to Korean medical insurance through their employer. You should make sure this is mentioned in the contract before accepting a job offer. It is important to understand the nature and scope of this coverage. While medical care in Korea is generally good and not very expensive, it can still become quite costly. If you do not get insurance through your employer, you can get public health insurance on an individual basis, but only with an Alien Registration Card.

If you purchase private health insurance, it is important to note that most medical practitioners and hospitals do not accept the premise of being directly billed by private health insurance companies, whether from a domestic or overseas firm. Individuals would have to settle with the medical insurance company for reimbursements after the treatments.
National Health Insurance

With national health insurance in Korea, 50% of premiums are paid by employers and 50% by employees. For employees, approximately 2.54% of their salary is deducted monthly for premiums, which contributes half of the required 4.48%; employer will pay the other 2.24%.During medical clinic and hospital visits, patients pay 30% of the cost of treatment, with the rest covered by the National Health Insurance Corporation. Workers pay an average of 5,000 to 10,000 won for a general visit.
 
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