Job Discussion Forums

[Justin Matthews]

Hi everyone, I'm contemplating making the move from Canada to Taiwan to teach English. I don�t know what the situation with health insurance is. Do most people get it?

I would definitely want to have insurance, but I don�t know the fine details of it. Would I have to leave the country like every month or something to get it renewed? Anybody have any experience with this?

[markholmes]

You need insurance long enough to cover you until your Taiwan insurance kicks in. I would get a policy for three months to be on the safe side. Its not hard to get a three month policy in Canada.

[Justin Matthews]

Thanks for the help. I was wondering if Taiwan was anything like Japan- I know there is a national health insurance that everyone has to sign up for, so I guess this is pretty much the same.

[Aristotle]

Medicine and medical services on Taiwan are cheaper than most any western country even withou health insurance. However you get what you pay for.
National Health insurance is only mandated for those employed more than 12 hours a week with a valid ARC and work permit.

Taiwan's National Health Insurance


Good luck!
A.

[clark.w.griswald]

Well of course health insurance is only available to legal workers. Are you suggesting that those working illegally and not paying taxes should be entitled to the benefits that paying taxes brings?

In answer to the OP, the national health insurance scheme is pretty broad, and covers most medical needs. It is a compulsory scheme, and thefore if you are working illegally you will be enrolled in it. There will be a small deduction made from your wage each month, a few hundred dollars generally.

It would be a good idea to have your own private insurance to cover you from your arrival until the national health insurance kicks in.

If you are a particularly cautious person you may also want to get some emergency evacuation insurance should something bad go wrong and you prefer to get medical treatment back home.