Taiwan healthcare

Taiwan Healthcare Skill

Purpose

Help users navigate Taiwan's healthcare system — from routine visits to emergencies.

When to Activate

• User needs to see a doctor in Taiwan
• User asks about Taiwan health insurance
• User needs emergency medical help
• User wants to understand the healthcare system

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EMERGENCY FIRST

Emergency Numbers

Number	Service
119	Ambulance & Fire
110	Police
1922	CDC Hotline (infectious disease)

Emergency Rooms (急診)

• Most major hospitals have 24/7 ER
• Go directly for: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injury, stroke symptoms
• Bring: ID/ARC, NHI card (if you have one)
• Can pay out of pocket if no insurance

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NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (NHI)

全民健康保險 Overview

Taiwan's NHI is one of the world's best systems:

• Universal coverage
• Low copays
• Covers most medical services

Who Is Covered

Status	Coverage
Taiwan citizens	Mandatory enrollment
ARC holders (6+ months)	Mandatory after waiting period
Tourists	NOT covered — pay out of pocket
Short-term visitors	NOT covered

ARC Holder Waiting Period

⚠️ Rules change. Verify current policy at nhi.gov.tw

General pattern:

• May need to wait 6 months before eligible
• Some categories exempt from waiting
• Employer should enroll you

NHI Card (健保卡)

• IC chip card, required for NHI services
• Register at NHI office after qualifying
• Use at all NHI-contracted providers
• Links to your medical history

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SEEING A DOCTOR

Clinic vs Hospital

Type	Chinese	When to Use
Clinic 診所	診所	First stop for most issues
Hospital 醫院	醫院	Specialists, serious issues, tests

Clinic System

1. Walk in or make appointment
2. Give NHI card to reception
3. Wait (can be quick or long)
4. See doctor
5. Get prescription
6. Pick up medicine at attached pharmacy or outside

Registration fee: Usually NT$50-150 (with NHI)

Hospital System

1. Register (現場掛號 or online/app)
2. Choose department
3. Wait for your number
4. See doctor
5. May need tests (X-ray, blood, etc.)
6. Get prescription from hospital pharmacy

NHI copay: Varies by hospital level

• Medical center: Higher copay
• Regional hospital: Medium
• Clinic: Lower

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Finding a Doctor

Search Methods

Google Maps:

診所 [location] — general clinics
內科 [location] — internal medicine
牙科 [location] — dentist
眼科 [location] — eye doctor
皮膚科 [location] — dermatologist

Hospital Websites:

• Most hospitals have online registration
• Can see available time slots
• Some have English interface

Expat Communities:

• Forumosa, Reddit r/taiwan
• Search: "[condition] doctor English Taipei"

English-Speaking Doctors

Hospital	Location	Notes
NTU Hospital	Taipei	Major medical center
Taipei Veterans General	Taipei	International patients
Mackay Hospital	Taipei	Founded by missionaries
Chang Gung	Multiple	Large system
Adventist	Taipei	Christian hospital

⚠️ English ability varies by doctor. Call ahead or check.

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Specialties

English	Chinese	For
Internal Medicine	內科	General health, cold, fever
Family Medicine	家醫科	General, preventive
ENT	耳鼻喉科	Ear, nose, throat
Dermatology	皮膚科	Skin issues
Ophthalmology	眼科	Eyes
Dentistry	牙科	Teeth
OB/GYN	婦產科	Women's health
Orthopedics	骨科	Bones, joints
Pediatrics	小兒科	Children
Psychiatry	精神科	Mental health
TCM	中醫	Traditional Chinese medicine

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PHARMACY (藥局)

Types

Type	What It Is
Hospital pharmacy	Inside hospital, fills prescriptions
Clinic pharmacy	Inside clinic, may dispense directly
Community pharmacy 藥局	Standalone, fills prescriptions + sells OTC
Drugstore 藥妝店	Watsons, Cosmed — OTC, health products

Common Drugstore Chains

• 屈臣氏 Watsons — Everywhere
• 康是美 Cosmed — Everywhere
• 大樹藥局 Poya — Good pharmacy section

Prescription (處方籤)

• Doctor gives prescription
• Take to pharmacy (連鎖藥局 or independent)
• NHI prescriptions: Low copay
• Prescriptions often valid limited time

Over-the-Counter

Common items available without prescription:

• Pain relievers (止痛藥)
• Cold medicine (感冒藥)
• Antacids (胃藥)
• Allergy medicine (抗過敏藥)
• First aid supplies

Pharmacist (藥師) can advise on minor issues.

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COSTS

With NHI

Service	Typical Cost (NHI)
Clinic visit	NT$50-150 registration
Hospital outpatient	NT$200-500
Prescription	NT$0-200 copay
Emergency	NT$150-550
Hospital stay	Varies by room type

Without NHI (Out of Pocket)

Service	Typical Cost
Clinic visit	NT$500-1,500
Hospital outpatient	NT$1,000-3,000
Emergency	NT$1,500-5,000+
Hospital stay	Expensive

⚠️ Prices vary. These are estimates.

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TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

中醫 TCM

• Covered by NHI at licensed clinics
• Includes: acupuncture (針灸), herbs (中藥), massage (推拿)
• Many Taiwanese use TCM alongside Western medicine

Finding TCM

Google: 中醫診所 [location]

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DENTAL

Coverage

• NHI covers: Checkups, basic fillings, extractions
• Not covered: Cosmetic, implants, orthodontics (usually)

Finding a Dentist

Google: 牙醫診所 [location]

Most neighborhoods have multiple clinics. Walk-in or call for appointment.

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MENTAL HEALTH

Options

Type	Chinese	Notes
Psychiatry	精神科	Medication, covered by NHI
Psychology	心理諮商	Therapy, often not NHI-covered
Counseling centers	諮商中心	Some free services

Finding Help

• Hospital psychiatry departments
• Private counseling (expensive, ~NT$2,000-4,000/session)
• Community mental health centers
• Crisis lines

English-speaking therapists:

• Search expat forums
• International clinics

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

For Tourists

If you're not covered by NHI:

1. Buy travel insurance before arrival
2. Keep receipts for all medical expenses
3. Pay out of pocket, claim later
4. Consider medical evacuation coverage

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USEFUL PHRASES

Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning
我不舒服	wǒ bù shū fú	I don't feel well
頭痛	tóu tòng	Headache
肚子痛	dù zi tòng	Stomachache
發燒	fā shāo	Fever
過敏	guò mǐn	Allergic
我對＿過敏	wǒ duì _ guò mǐn	I'm allergic to _
處方籤	chǔ fāng qiān	Prescription
藥	yào	Medicine
急診	jí zhěn	Emergency room

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RESOURCES

Official

• NHI: nhi.gov.tw
• CDC Taiwan: cdc.gov.tw
• Hospital searches: Google Maps, hospital websites

Verify Information

• NHI policies change
• Hospital information changes
• Always call ahead for important visits

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Taiwan healthcare is excellent — know how to access it 🏥