Job Discussion Forums

[mep3]

Anyone know if the national health insurance pays for private doctors' appointments, or just stuff in public hospitals?

Thanks .... Mep

[BigWally]

my gf has been to walk in clinics a number of times....why not ask the doctors office?

[mep3]

Good idea but I'm not in Taiwan.

[markholmes]

I'm not sure what the answer is, but I would wonder why you want to see a private doctor. I was in hospital twice and found the public service excellent.

I applied for immigration to Canada whilst in Taiwan and as part of that process I needed a medical. I could only use private doctors recommended by the Canadian government. The one I used was a total qwack & completely unprofessional. He actually quite unnerved me. It cost me $170. It probably would have been free through the Taiwan health service.

Just my experience though.

[TaoyuanSteve]

[markholmes]

Actually Steve you are wrong concerning my post, but that is because I wasn't clear.

1st visit (day surgery) to hospital was all covered by National Health.

2nd visit (requiring an overnight stay) was mostly covered by National Health, but I was required to pay NT$7000 additional costs (not bad considering how much pain I was in).

My trip to the private 'quack' was paid by me and me alone and cost (and here is why the original post was confusing) US$170.

I felt the public healthcare system was better than the private, but that is just my personal expereince with one doctor.

[AQUA MARINA]

I was told that O-HIP does not cover me out of province and needed to purchase Travel Insurance with Medical Care for my Entire trip.

This can be quite costly. I bought Canadian Private Ins for 3 months and it's extendable.

Do most of you have Canadian Private Ins incase of emergencies that Taiwan's National Ins does not cover? i.e to be hospitalized, operations?

On the side note, does National Ins cover dental or that's seperate?

[BigWally]

[AQUA MARINA]

Glad to hear your friend is ok Wally.

I think it's a great deal for sure if I can get the N.H.I .

So basically that is comparable with what we have as O-HIP and covers the extra's? (like Great West Life Health Ins. covers anything above O-Hip like prescription drugs, massage therapists, dental work) which I pay thru my job on top having with O-HIP

I want to clarify so I don't need to worry If I get sick and stranded.

[mep3]

Does the Taiwan National Health Insurance exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions? Mep

[TaoyuanSteve]

[mep3]

Sure. Sometimes when I take a medical exam my heart rate reading is fast or my blood pressure reading is a little high. Other times they are okay. I haven't been advised that I need any medication. My concern is just about any benefits exclusions it could entail, and hence any financial liability in the event of something catastrophic heart-related. Or like you said, denial of the visa in the first place, I guess. Mep

[dangerousapple]

You shouldn't have any trouble. I have a similar problem in that I absolutely hate waiting, which tends to make my blood pressure rise. Getting a physical in Taiwan bugs the heck out of me because there is a lot of waiting involved, and the nurses never want to take my blood pressure first thing. They always tell me my blood pressure is a little high, at which point I remind them that if I hadn't stood around doing nothing for 45 minutes it would probably be lower.

[mep3]

Thanks for that info. I really appreciate it; it's reassuring. So they didn't inform you you had some kind of benefits exclusion as a result? My blood pressure was normal last time, but my heart rate was a bit high. If it were also in their exam, I couldn't say it was because I'd been waiting for the exam. I'd just have to acknowledge the reading.

Mep

[mep3]

mistake