Health Care for All: The Good & Not | how good is taiwan
WhenKiyomiLiu(劉嘉玲)movedtoTaiwanin2013,shewastakenaback–inagoodway–byitscheapmedicalfees.“IpaidNT$150(US$5)foranobstetrician-gynecologistconsultation,anultrasoundandmedicineataneighborhoodclinic,”saidtheHsinchu-basedAmerican.“Backhome,mybillcameuptoUS$1,000(NT$30,700)forthesameprocedure.IhadtopayeverythingoutofmyownpocketbecausemyinsurancedeductiblewasUS$1,500(NT$46,300).”Liuisamongthe99.6percentofTaiwan’s23.57millionpeoplecoveredunderthegovernment-runNationalHealthInsurance(NHI),auniversa...
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.
Credit: Reuters / Nicky Loh A man receives a va...