Taiwan’s health care system is often measured against the world’s best. But is this model of accessible and ‘cheap’ health care viable in the long run?
The News Lens
Date: 2018/11/13
By: Siok Hui Leong
Credit: Depositphotos
When Kiyomi Liu (劉嘉玲) moved to Taiwan in 2013, she was taken aback – in a good way – by its cheap medical fees.
“I paid NT$150 (US$5) for an obstetrician-gynecologist consultation, an ultrasound and medicine at a neighborhood clinic,” said the Hsinchu-based American. “Back home, my bill came up to US$1,000 (NT$30,700) for the same procedure. I had to pay everything out of my own pocket because my insurance deductible was US$1,500 (NT$46,300).”
Liu is among the 99.6 percent of Taiwan’s 23.57 million people covered under the government-run National Health Insurance (NHI), a universal health care scheme that ensures every resident has access to quality and affordable medical care. The comprehensive coverage includes both inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, traditional Chinese medicine, dental services and home nursing care. NHI enrollment is mandatory for all citizens and foreign residents in Taiwan.
With over 92 percent of clinics and hospitals contracted to NHI, patients have a wide choice of doctors or hospitals to choose from. Wait times are short. You pay a modest out-of-pocket fee (copayment) ranging from NT$80 to NT$360 (US$2.50 to US$11.50) per consultation. If you are willing to fork out a bit more, you can go directly to specialty care without a referral. Each NHI user holds a ‘smart card’ that contains the user’s medical data. A swipe of the card gives your doctor instant access to real-time medical records. [FULL STORY]
