Friday, 17 April 2009

Health insurance difference between Korea and United States

Before leaving Korea, I got health insurance for my family's stay in United States. The total amount was around 2,500 dollars for a year, but the insurance have deductible of 100 dollars, which means I should pay almost 100 dollars whenever I meet a doctor. 100 dollars for going to see a doctor is too much for me, a student with limited budget. In Korea, I didn't worry about medical expenses because Korea has good health insurance system. Each month, I paid around 100 dollars for my family's health insurance. The health insurance of Korea is managed by government, and everyone should be joined. According to the level of income, everyone has different rates of payment. Compared with others, I am charged relatively high rates. Generally when I go to see a doctor, I pay about 3 dollars including medicine. If I feel sick, I go to see a doctor without hesitation. I feel somewhat secured in Korea. For example, it costs about 2,000 dollars to have an appendix surgery in Korea, but over 20,000 dollars are needed to have it in United States. More often than not, I want to go back to Korea whenever my children say I am sick. In addition to the national health insurance, I had private health insurance in Korea that covers medical expenses that are not covered by the national health insurance. I paid 100 dollars for the private insurance of my family. Because I have two medical insurances, I paid only 5 dollar deductable on any visit to clinics or hospitals in Korea. I am able to meet a doctor whenever I want to without concerning about money problem. In addition to affordable cost, I can find a lot of clinics and hospitals in Korea, namely numerous. Last week, my son went to emergency because of acute abdomen pain. I lost my head and didn't know what I should do for him. It was not pleasant experience for me. Frankly speaking, I don't know the health insurance system of United States exactly. However, I think people should have a right to go to see a doctor whenever they need to, irrespective of their financial conditions.

1 comment:

  1. I understand your pain. Luckily through my work I get decent insurance and able to insure my entire family. Without me my husband would have no insurance at all. That is a very scary thought.
    When I was in the ER with my son last year, there was a mother with a very sick child and she did not have health insurance. So, she could not get the treatments for her child that her child needed. I really wished that I would have been able to transfer my health benefits to her....
    Every state is different, but in Arizona all children were covered with health insurance. you may want to check if there is a similar rule for Michigan.

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