Several days ago I experienced a painful kidney stone attack. I knew what it was from similar problems I experienced about 10-12 years ago. That was in Orange County with lots of insurance. I was more than a little apprehensive about the quality and cost of medical care in Korea - especially since my Korean insurance wasn't yet available. Still, I was going to have to get this checked out. With help from the University, we found a clinic in Pohang that offered specialists in this area of medicine. One of the professors gave us (Susan along as the supportive wife and interpreter) a lift into town for my first experience with Korean medical care. The office was a modern as any I'd been to in the US. Lots of marble, wood and recessed lighting and 3 receptionists to greet us. The only noticeable differences from medical offices in Orange County was that it seemed nicer and everyone was Korean (as well as the magazines which, oddly enough, have English titles to the articles that are entirely in Korean.)
Susan had called ahead and obtained a next day appointment (eat your hearts out long suffering patients of the US system.) Within a few minutes I was in to see the Korean doctor who was fluent in English - though he preferred to have Susan interpret to make sure he was clearly understood. He took a careful history and then sent me off for a long series of x rays from every imaginable angle. Other tests followed including a sonogram administered by the same doctor who explained what he was observing on a screen as I watched. It took about 2 hours to complete all the procedures and go over the x rays with the doctor. He had good news in that the stones appeared to be small and should pass relatively easily. He prescribed some pain medication should I have another attack and had me set up a follow up appointment in 2 weeks. The total bill came to 125,000 won - a little over $100. But I wasn't done yet, we still needed to fill the prescription. The medication came to another $6.20 at the pharmacy. If the insurance had kicked in, the medical bill would have been about half and the prescription would have been $2.00. So far, I am a big fan of the Korean medical system. The basic care is covered by Korean nationalized insurance (what we will have effective September 1.) I'm told most Koreans purchase supplemental insurance to cover major medical problems. Perhaps Romney might want to look into offering Korea care instead of Obama care?
On an unrelated note, the muggy monsoon conditions were blown away by the two typhoons which brought occasional heavy rains, but no damage to our area on the eastern side of the southern end of South Korea. Today is a beautiful clear day with a nice cool breeze. I've never lived in a rainy area before. The Koreans have free umbrella cover dispensers at many of the stores and public buildings. It sure cuts down on water dripping on the floors. We are extending our exploration of Pohang and the surrounding areas and are enjoying the free shuttle service offered by the university that runs to a variety of stops every half an hour. Still, we are continuing to consider the possibility of purchasing a used car to extend our range. There are so many places we would like to see and visit. Korea has an extensive public transportation system, but it would still limit our travel somewhat. Susan refuses to drive over here, but I'm kind of excited about trying my hand at Korean traffic. It would help if they had street signs -still apparently a rarity in the more rural portions of the country. They also offer GPS devices that don't seem to be bothered by the lack of street signs.
Finally, I'm introducing baseball to some of the kids here at Handong University. If you read this and have an old mitt or two you would like to dedicate to the cause, Susan's sister Mary is flying over here on September 10th. Just drop it by the house and she'll bring it along.
Your Korean correspondent (who is feeling great now with no recurrence of symptoms),
Ken
:)
ReplyDeleteBrought a smile to my heart. (Well, except for the kidney stones)