Ms. Jennifer Choi of Asan Medical International

Dear readers, I am Jennifer Choi, the manager of overseas insurance and billing at the International Healthcare Center of Asan Medical Center (AMC). My job mainly involves facilitating communication for international patients who are registered with overseas insurance companies in contract with AMC so that the patients can receive help when they undergo major surgery or treatment. I would like to share a story of a U.S. patient who underwent chemotherapy at AMC.

Putting much effort to start treatment in time

A female patient in her 60s from the U.S. was admitted to AMC through the emergency room. She was diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of renal pelvis, transitional cell carcinoma. Targeted chemotherapy had to be carried out immediately. However, high treatment cost was expected due to international charges applied to international patients without national health insurance. The patient hesitated to immediately start chemotherapy because of the treatment cost, and thus, the treatment date was eventually delayed by a week.

After listening to what the patient had to say in great anxiety, I calmed her down first. “The treatment charge will be resolved through the insurance company. Don’t worry too much. I will do everything I can so that the treatment can start in time.” First, I requested a guarantee of payment from the foreign insurer with which the patient was insured. However, the insurer’s business hours were between 9:30pm and 6:30am in Korean time, making it more difficult to contact the insurer and there was no answer for two days.

I tried to reach the insurer by phone and email every day in the early morning for the patient was worried that the treatment would be delayed further. I put much effort to keep my promise with the patient and have the cost of treatment taken care of. My heart was in my mouth as I was waiting for the guarantee of payment, and fortunately, I was able to receive the insurer’s approval to urgently process the case.

The patient and her guardian thanked me for helping the patient start the chemotherapy in time. They also said that they were fortunate come to AMC. I had been also anxious due to short period time before the treatment began. However, everything turned out well, making me happy as well. I feel greatly rewarded when patients who were, as in this case, worried about their condition as well as treatment cost receive treatment safely, recover their health, and return to their country healthy.

Grateful to be of a help to international patients

I have met foreigners from diverse countries and races while working at the International Healthcare Center. I am grateful to be able to help international patients who put their trust in and visit AMC. I also feel a great sense of responsibility. I will continue to make efforts in the future to ensure that all patients who visit AMC can receive treatment with peace of mind.

※ ‘Thank U, AMC’ features stories told by the members of the International Healthcare Center about memorable international patients.