How To Get Your Health Check
**Update 2021** Scroll down to the end of this article for an updated list of the accepted hospitals that will do the E2 Visa Health Check
If you are renewing your job, just getting one or perhaps needing a health check for whatever reason, there seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding where and how to get a health check. Many hospitals will do this check but it will be much more expensive.
The first thing you need to determine is what type of health check that you need. if you are getting an E2 visa you will need a more in depth and expensive medical check. This will include a drug test as well. If you are unsure of which test you require, ask your school. If you are just starting a teaching position then you will most likely need the extensive health check.
If you are renewing a contract or signing with a new school you may need to get a new health check which can now be done at the Medi Check health Centre. This will be less expensive than going to the hospital for the same check. Again, check with your employer to be on the safe side.
If you have National Health Insurance, you will be required to get a health check every 2 years or so. This will be covered by your insurance and can be done at any hospital for free. Again, just double check to make sure which one you need.
Health Check Via Medi-Check (Not a Hospital)
*E2 visa holders – you must specifically ask for the E2 visa check. Make sure they understand what you mean. It should cost about 74,960 won*
Step 1: Grab a ticket and check for a small form. This will just be your basic information like Name, telephone number and address. If you can’t find it, they will have them at the desk as well. Just wait for your turn and go up to the desk.
Step 2: When your number is called, ask for a “채용 신체 검사” (chae-yong shin-chae gohm-sa) and they will need your ARC card. They will give you a form to take with you to each of the stations for your checks. Again, if you are an E2 visa holder, make sure that they know that you are a teacher and you need the drug test.
Blood pressure, height /weight, hearing, and sight
Step 4: They will tell you where to go and/or someone may lead you there. For the Medi-Check Centre, you will head to the upper floor and change your clothes. Once done, they there will be staff that will guide you through each of the checks, just give them your forms and they will take care if everything. This goes by pretty quick and the they waste no time in getting you through.
Check#1 – Blood pressure – No Korean is needed, just stick your arm in the machine and wait for it to finish.
Check#2 – Height and weight – No Korean is needed, just take your shoes off and stand on the scale. Then wait for the device to bonk you on the head.
Check #3 – Sight – Basic knowledge of Korean numbers from is needed. Also know left and right in Korean is handy. You will stand behind the green line and cover one eye. Then they will flash a group of single-digit numbers. They will check both eyes. Then they will check for colour blindness by getting you to look at a picture containing a number. Just say the number and you are finished.
Check #4 – Hearing – No Korean is needed. Just put on the headphones and point to which ear you hear the beeping in.
X-Ray
Step 5: You may to take off your top and put on a robe at some places. However, with Medi-Check you should already be in the proper clothes for the x-ray. So, just follow the instructions. This will be over in no time. Then just move on to the next station.
Blood and Urine
Step 6: Find the next station, this could be on a different floor. So, just hand someone your form and they will tell you what to do.
Check #1 – Urine – No Korean is needed. They will hand you a stick and you will go to the washroom outside the station and pee on the stick. Wash your hands and take the pee-covered stick back to them or place it on the special window in the bathroom (each place is different).
Check # 2 – Blood – Minimal Korean is needed – They may ask you a few questions but typically they will just put the band on your arm and take what they need. Once you are done here, your health check is done.
Dental – Not all places will Do this.
Recently, when I went to Medi-Check I was given a dental exam. It was no big deal. They just poked around and wrote the results on the form.
Wait 2-4 days
Step 7: They will tell you when to return and bring a 1,000 won for the fee. You will possibly need a 3×4 photo as well. Recently, they have asked for this, so normally it is good practice to have some with you. You may have to pick it up at a separate desk but this varies from place to place. Once you pay the 1000 won, give them your photo, you will get your health check and then you are done! Check around for some envelopes as they should have them there for free.
Medi Check –한국건강관리협회 울산광역시지부
*click the English title for Kakao map link with bus schedule.
Homepage – ulsan.kahp.or.kr
Phone – 052-241-2000 대표번호
The E2 Visa Health Check at the Hospital
If you are on an E2 Visa, you have to get a separate and more expensive health check. The procedure is exactly the same but it will cost you a lot more and you have to specifically ask for the “E2 Visa Health Check” otherwise, the MOE will not accept it. The Korean name is exactly the same, “채용 신체 검사” (chae-yong shin-chae gohm-sa), but the results on the paper will be different. More specifically they will include a drug test “마약 검사” (mah-yahk-gohm-sa). If you are unsure just ask if that test is included in the results and let them know that you are a teacher. That is the only difference. Here are a few of the cheaper hospitals to go to. *Click on the Korean words for the map location*
The Good Samjeong Hospital (좋은삼정병원) tel: 052-220-7500, just North of the SinBok Rotary (Towards the Samho Bridge) in Mugeo-dong will cost you about 54,000 won up to 80,000 won.
The Jungahn Hospital (중앙병원) tel: 052-226-1100, Just to the side of Gonguptap Rotary and near the the Parkpolis Towers. It will cost you around 80,000 won.
Mothers Hospital (마더스 병원) tel: 052-270-7000, Located in Samsandong and just down from the Bus Terminals. They have a special area for the health checks and speak English well. Cost 50,000 won.