National Health Service

Life Health & Fitness
1

I’m curious, do most foreigners in Taiwan enroll in and use the National Health Service? I’ve looked up the Gov’t links that outline the rules and premiums and such, and it seems relatively affordable vs. what you get in the US.

Is that the route that most foreigners then take (it does seem to be mandatory if you have an ARC, which I assume all long-term residents have)?

I’ve read through a dozen or so threads on the quality of service and while there are some negative experiences out there, by and large it seems to provide pretty good care. Do most agree?

2

I don’t think it is mandatory – not sure about that – but you’d be stupid not to register with the system.

Yes, to answer your first question, I am sure most resident foreigners use Taiwan’s national health service.

The care is world-class, and highly rated. It was implemented in stages beginning in the 90s after careful review of major national health care systems worldwide. They did a brilliant job. It gets my vote for Taiwan’s greatest postwar institutional achievement.

3

[quote=“Tazzie”]I don’t think it is mandatory – not sure about that – but you’d be stupid not to register with the system.

Yes, to answer your first question, I am sure most resident foreigners use Taiwan’s national health service.

The care is world-class, and highly rated. It was implemented in stages beginning in the 90s after careful review of major national health care systems worldwide. They did a brilliant job. It gets my vote for Taiwan’s greatest postwar institutional achievement.[/quote]

It is …

And yes it’s pretty good … I had several blood tests/health checks done in the last year … recently, yesterday … didn’t cost me a dime more than the doctors fee (150 NT$) … extensive tests done last year … cost 600 NT$ …

But … my wife took on an additional insurance for us for stuff that’s not covered in the National Health Insurance …

4

I believe that most eligible foreigners do enroll in it. You’d be crazy not to. Affordable medical care… what a concept!

5

I’ve used it quite a bit recently (my kids birth, lots of colds, a motorbike accident and an ongoing medical condition) and i have nothing but praise for it. A trip to a specialist costs 500nt, a trip to GP costs 200NT. Waiting lists are almost non-existant, service is quick and friendly. We have extra insurance that we can claim back on.

having come from the UK which (except for the meds) is free at delivery, i’d take this system any day.

6

First of all, it IS compulsory, mandatory, if you are an ARC holder:

[quote]1. Enrollment and Withdrawal
From July 17th 1999, foreigners with an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)who have resided in Taiwan for four months are required to enroll in the NHI program immediately.
…
l Foreigners, losing their residence status because they no longer hold a valid ARC or because of not returning back to Taiwan, will also lose their right to belong to the NHI program. They must withdraw their subscription to the NHI program through their group insurance applicants(their employers or local administration offices) and then return their NHI card to their applicants and pay up the premiums in full before leaving Taiwan.
l When traveling overseas for a short period of time, on business or on vacation, and then returning to Taiwan with a valid ARC, foreigners must remain enrolled in the NHI program.

[/quote]
isc.adm.nctu.edu.tw/ISC/file/law … ce_DOH.doc

nhi.gov.tw/avgarden/av/n0940 … menu_id=10

Second, it is cheap -in terms of monthly deductions- and even cheaper when you go to see a doctor. A specialist for what, 150 nts to 500 nts?

[quote]The benefits under NHI are very comprehensive. This program covers the following services: inpatient care, ambulatory care, laboratory tests, pharmaceuticals, dental services, traditional Chinese medicine, day care for the mentally ill, and home care of the skilled nursing part.

In addition, there are preventive services offered, including adult health examinations, pre-natal examinations, well-baby check-ups, and pap smear examinations.

[/quote]

I personally use it a lot -chronic condition. I live close to three hospitals and there are like 20 clinics in the neighborhood -counting like 6 dentists, 2 skin doctors, 3 general specialists, 3 Chinese medicine clinics, 4 ENTs, etc… You have lots of choices. You get fast service. You do not need a reference to go to the hospital. You can make appointments in person or by Internet/phone.

I spend more on my dog’s medicines than my own.

7

I paid to get some med stuff done in Taiwan (no jianbao because I’m not a resident), recently, rather than wait in the UK. Saw a lovely doc, didn’t wait, cost very little. I was prepared and willing to pay a lot more.

It’s not perfect, and I’ve had hideous experiences, such as the gas bottle delivery guy walking in while I was having a pap smear (it’s funny now, but I had a severe humour bypass, that day!), waking up during anaesthetic, as well as passing out because they gave me strong sedatives for an ear infection, but it’s pretty good, on the whole, once you’ve got over the need for privacy. :laughing:

Medicine is a service industry, to some extent, in Taiwan. Getting recommendations for specialists is the way to go, rather than rolling up at your local clinic.

8

Find certain aspects great, specialists; some mediocre, the whole birth ordeal and where’s the trash can?; and some just totally horrendous, ENT docs and dentists take the cake.

9

Watch out - People who are in single status may get charged more by almost doubling the original fee after the so-called 2nd-generation national health insurance takes effect in 2 years in plan. But it got fumious criticisms ever since the idea was firstly brought up by the Yang Chih-Liang, the pig-headed Minister of Department of Health, so that huge price increase plan is still in an uncertain situation so far, because the governmental people won’t want to infuriate people and lose the ballots.