Taiwan Health Insurance
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Some of Asia’s best culinary delights can be found on the
island of Taiwan, nestled in the Pacific Ocean within a string
of East Asian islands and off the coast of mainland China.
Described as similar in shape to a sweet potato, this largely
mountainous and densely populated island officially belongs to
and is governed by the People’s Republic of China. It is
well-developed and has a stable democracy. In contrast to
typecast images of crowded cities filled with electronics
factories, this island nation with an estimated population of
23 million, (CIA, 2012) also showcases lush forests,
impressive mountain ranges, stunning national parks, hot
springs and is highly regarded for its cuisine. Taiwan’s
scenic wonders also provide the necessary attributes for
outdoor activities, from hiking, climbing, and mountain
biking, to scuba diving, rafting, sailing and windsurfing.
Home to the second tallest skyscraper in the world, Taipei is
the vibrant center of commerce and culture, and seat of
government. Taiwan experiences a tropical, marine climate,
sweltering above 30°C during summer from June to
September however moderate temperatures are enjoyed in the
mountainous regions. The tonal languages of Taiwanese, Hakka
and Mandarin are spoken on the island, along with other Asian
and Austronesian dialects.
Taiwan Health Care and Insurance
The Ministry for Health is responsible for managing the
delivery of health services to Taiwan’s residents
through hospitals, clinics and priority care centers. The
standard of facilities and quality of care in public
facilities is considered reasonable, with well-trained
physicians on staff and state-of-the-art equipment available.
The health sector is cited by outside observers as consisting
of the right balance of public and private medical facilities,
the latter of which are widely available, but considerably
more expensive. All legal residents are eligible for publicly
funded treatment under a National Health Insurance plan (NHI).
The system is financed by the government with co-payments
making up a small portion of funding. Out-of-pocket expenses
range depending on income levels and medical condition,
however the average cost of roughly USD2 per consultation at a
dedicated NHI medical provider, makes healthcare in Taiwan
highly affordable. The low cost of treatment allows residents
to make the most of Taiwan’s health insurance plan,
resulting in a tendency to repeatedly access treatment for
minor ailments, leading to a slowdown in the provision of
services and putting pressure on personnel resources, with
doctors seeing as many as 30 patients an hour. Long wait times
have ensued and waiting areas are often crowded.
Frequently quoted as a measure of the quality of life in a
given country, estimated life expectancy has gradually risen
in Taiwan over recent decades, currently sitting at 75 years
for men and 81 years for women (CIA, 2012), comparatively
higher than mainland China and many other nations in the Asian
region. This is widely attributed to the well-established
health system and insurance structure, which in addition to
covering inpatient and outpatient procedures, physical
therapy, rehabilitation services and at-home care, also covers
Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, medical
massage and herbs. Surveys show that locals are highly
satisfied with the quality and provision of care.
Another indicator of health conditions within countries is
the infant mortality rate, which in Taiwan is comparable to
that of advanced countries at an estimated 5.1 deaths for
every 1,000 live births (CIA, 2012). This positions Taiwan
higher than the United States, but just shy of Canada’s
rates. There are a number of emerging concerns with the health
system however, such as an ageing population, which is
expected to add significant pressure on health resourcing as
the number of elderly is projected to double within the next
twenty years. The low premium costs of the NHI are being cited
by the Taiwanese government as a disaster waiting to happen,
as inflationary pressures leave the Ministry of Health with
large budget deficits to fund. The announcement of premium
increases to help strengthen the health system’s revenue
has been met with significant disapproval from the populace,
with the majority unwilling to accept changes to the premium
structure of the NHI. This has prompted many citizens to turn
to private Taiwan health insurance, facilitating earlier
access to treatment through avoiding wait times associated
with NHI medical providers and receiving a higher standard of
treatment via private facilities.
Foreign nationals with work and resident permits are
eligible to receive coverage under the Taiwan health insurance
scheme however it is important to consider that some aspects
of insurance policies which foreign nations sometimes rely
upon, such as repatriation and medical evacuation clauses, are
not included in the coverage. This highlights the need for
international medical insurance should a medical condition
necessitate repatriation. Short-term visitors are ineligible
to access publicly funded care and are therefore exposed to
expensive treatment through private medical providers if
without international coverage. Those who require medical
attention while visiting Taiwan will need to show proof of
insurance, or be prepared to pay the cost of hospitalization
and/or treatment at the time of receiving such care. Payment
at the time of treatment is expected by all medical providers
from those not covered under the national scheme.
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Taiwan's medical insurance industry is a fast paced ever evolving market however our staff are experts and at your disposal. |
Expatriates and Travelers in Taiwan
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Taiwan Travel Insurance Concerns
Vaccine-preventable diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis,
Typhoid and Hepatitis A & B are known to occur in Taiwan,
and as such the US Centre for Disease Control recommends
inoculations before travel. Routine childhood vaccinations are
also recommended for those individuals not previously
immunized. In Taiwan’s tropical southern regions,
mosquito-borne Dengue Fever occurs prompting advisories to
endorse avoidance measures to prevent bites, which include
using insect repellant at all times and exposing as little
skin as possible. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is common
throughout Taiwan with serious outbreaks occurring
periodically, usually beginning in March/April and peaking in
May, however cases sometimes continue until October. Children
under the age of ten years are mostly affected although it is
not unusual for adults to present at medical facilities with
cases of HFMD, which is characterized by fever, along with
blisters and rashes on buttocks, hands and feet. Frequent
hand-washing is recommended along with following normal
hygiene precautions, as the disease is spread via direct
contact with throat and nose discharges and through fecal
matter of infected individuals. Due to the difficulty for
foreigners to access health care without membership to the
Taiwan health insurance system, international medical
insurance should be purchased to cover the expenses associated
with treatment through private facilities on the island,
especially as payment or proof of insurance may be expected
prior to treatment, including in emergencies. Ambulatory
services can be reached by dialing 119.
Taiwan’s major cities are congested and can be
hazardous for road users. Motorcycles and scooters weave
dangerously through traffic, adding to the already unsafe and
reckless practices of vehicle-users. The guiding principal for
road users is that the right-of-way belongs to the larger
vehicle, highlighting the need for caution from pedestrians as
drivers take right-of-way over people. Driving conditions on
typically narrow and winding mountainous roads often
deteriorate after heavy rains and roads can become impassable.
This is especially so during the typhoon season, which extends
from May to November and when landslides and flooding are
common. ‘Typhoon days’ can be declared at short
notice by local authorities, communicated via local radio and
television stations. In the event of an emergency,
English-language updates are available on an international
community radio station, frequency FM 100.7. The provision of
services can be disrupted with an approaching typhoon, and
flights can often be delayed or suspended. Travel advisories
therefore recommend expatriates remain informed of regional
weather forecasts and follow any instructions provided by
Taiwan’s emergency officials. Accommodation evacuation
plans should be reviewed and travel documents carried or
secured in a waterproof location.
Taiwan Expat Health Insurance
Those seeking medical attention in Taiwan will find a
reasonable level of care in the major cities, as
state-of-the-art medical equipment is available and physicians
are well trained. However treatment can be expensive for those
not eligible to join the national scheme, as doctors and
hospitals often expect payment prior to administering medical
services, including in cases of emergency care. Comprehensive
insurance coverage is available through International Medical
Insurance and providing a range of benefits including
emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, hospital and
doctors’ fees, and costs associated with maternity
services. To ensure the cost of medical care in Taiwan does
not result in financial burden, make contact with an
International Medical Insurance consultant for a free
quotation.
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