Taiwan, Province of China Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Taiwan, China

Expats visiting or moving to Taiwan, Province of China, are encouraged to secure their own private health insurance to protect themselves against unexpected illness or injury. Expats with a residency card can also access and benefit from the National Health Insurance. 

Are you planning to travel to Taiwan? Do you want to know the best health insurance plan for your trip? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime wrote this article as a guide so you can understand your options for health insurance in Taiwan.

We will discuss the country’s healthcare system, international health insurance providers, and more. We will also share resources for visitors in Taiwan. Read to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Taiwan, China

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

The Healthcare System in Taiwan, China

Taiwan, Province of China’s healthcare system is universal, with every legal resident being eligible for high-quality care. The healthcare system is administered by the Ministry of Health, with the premiums shared through the government, employees, and employers. 

Taiwan’s healthcare system has private and public sectors and is known as one of the most efficient healthcare systems in the world. Citizens and residents possessing a residency card use it to receive treatment at public medical facilities. 

Both the public and private sectors in Taiwan offer high-quality medical services, though wait times are often considerably longer in the public sector. 

Taiwan, China Public Hospitals and Clinics

Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Address: No. 201號, Section 2, Shipai Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan, Province of China, 112
Phone: +886 2 2871 2121

Located in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei Veterans General Hospital provides quality care to locals and expats alike. They offer a 24-hour emergency department, a pharmacy, and the following specialties: 

• General surgery
• Orthopedics
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Ophthalmology
• Dermatology
• Radiology
• Pediatrics
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Oncology
• Stomatology
• Pathology and laboratory medicine
• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Family medicine
• Dietetics & nutrition 
• Critical care medicine
• And more

National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH)
Address: No. 7號, Zhongshan S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan, Province of China, 100
Phone: +886 2 2312 3456

Originally opened in 1895, the National Taiwan University Hospital serves Taipei City with a wide variety of medical services and a total of 2,400 beds. They offer the following specialities and facilities: 

• Breast center
• Center for human appearance
• Clinical psychology center
• Dentistry
• Dermatology
• Environmental and occupational disease
• Family medicine
• Geriatrics and gerontology
• Internal medicine
• Department of medical genetics
• Medical imaging
• Neurology
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Oncology
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedic surgery
• Ear, nose, and throat
• Pediatrics
• General surgery
• And more

Tri-Service General Hospital 
Address: No. 325號, Section 2, Chenggong Rd, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan, Province of China, 114
Phone: +886 2 8792 3311

The Tri-Service General Hospital is the teaching hospital of the National Defense Medical Center. They opened in 1946 and have 1,800 beds in their facility. They offer specialties like:

• General surgery
• Internal medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Critical care medicine
• Emergency medicine
• Neuro surgery
• And more 

Taiwan, China Private Hospitals and Clinics

Taiwan Adventist Hospital
Address: No. 424號, Section 2, Bade Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, Province of China, 105
Phone: +886 2 2771 8151

The Taiwan Adventist Hospital is a Seventh-day Adventist hospital that provides care to both locals and foreigners. The hospital advertises features like telemedicine consultations and second opinions for international patients. They offer the following specialities: 

• Cardiology
• Dentistry
• Internal medicine 
• Endocrinology
• Ear, nose, and throat
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Pediatrics
• Emergency medicine
• General surgery
• And more

Chung Shan Hospital
Address: No. 11號, Lane 112, Section 4, Ren'ai Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan, Province of China, 106 
Phone: +886 2 2708 1166

The Chung Shan Hospital has 31 medical departments, but is known best for its obstetrics and gynecology. Many private physicians will refer their pregnant patients to Chung Shan for childbirth. Other medical departments they have include internal medicine, general surgery, and pediatrics.

Health Insurance Options in Taiwan, Province of China for Expats 

Expats have the option of securing private health insurance for Taiwan, or they can opt into the public health insurance system if they are eligible for a residency card. Only working expats staying long-term in Taiwan will be eligible for the card. 

Even with public health insurance, many expats choose to secure their own private health insurance policy to supplement and extend their coverage.  

Public Health Insurance in Taiwan, China for Expats

Taiwan provides public health insurance to citizens and legal residents through the government-administered National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHI is similar to the similarly named UK public health insurance, as they both are single-payer systems for healthcare. 

Every Taiwanese citizen has an NHI card that they must bring with them whenever they go to a doctor or a medical facility. The NHI card is used for identification and billing purposes and also provides a brief medical history about the person. 

The National Health Insurance covers both inpatient and outpatient procedures, prescriptions, elderly home care, and the majority of medical services. These medical services are not completely free, as the patient will be expected to pay a copayment for each service. 

If you work for a Taiwanese employer, they will enroll you in the National Health Insurance. If you are self-employed, you will have to enroll on your own. For more information on the application process, visit the NHI website here. 

Private Health Insurance in Taiwan, China for Expats

Private health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in Taiwan, Province of China, and grant expats access to private hospitals and clinics. If you are enrolled in the NHI, you may also use your private health insurance to help cover the cost of your co-payments. 

Private health insurance can cover a variety of healthcare services, such as: 

• Inpatient and day patient treatment
• Surgical costs
• Physician visits
• Mental health treatment 
• Vaccinations
• Prescription drugs
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Repatriation of remains
• Dental and vision coverage
• Maternity coverage

Private health insurance can offer comprehensive medical evacuation coverage for expats in Taiwan, which is important for expats in rural areas, as they may be transported via helicopter to neighboring countries for more complex medical procedures. 

Expats in Taiwan can secure a private health insurance policy through an international or local insurance provider. International insurance providers offer the benefit of globally portable coverage, so you can visit Taiwan and neighboring countries and stay protected. 

Best International Health Insurance Providers in Taiwan, China

The best private insurance providers for expats in Taiwan are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, Cigna Global, Bupa Global, and MSH International.

We will share a brief overview and highlight these providers’ plans in the following sections. If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers, check out our article guide here!

Allianz Health Insurance in Taiwan, Province of China

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Taiwan to fit a variety of expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad. 

The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

April International Health Insurance in Taiwan, Province of China

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable, comprehensive coverage to expats in Taiwan.

They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in its plans, including:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency repatriation
• Emergency evacuation
• Maternity coverage
• Vision and dental coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA Health Insurance in Taiwan, Province of China

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Taiwan. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.  

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

• Inpatient hospital charges and surgeries
• Emergency care
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• A range of cancer treatments
• Ambulance transport
• CT, PET, and MRI scans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Health Insurance in Taiwan, Province of China

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Taiwan and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Taiwan’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive. 

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and outpatient services
• Cancer treatment
• Physiotherapy
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

Plan Details Get a Quote

Bupa Global Health Insurance in Taiwan, Province of China

Bupa Global is a top international insurance provider for expats in Taiwan looking for comprehensive and customizable coverage. Bupa Global allows its members to seek second medical opinions if needed and requires no referrals for specialist visits.

Bupa Global offers three international health insurance plans in the islands: Bupa Select, Bupa Premier, and Bupa Elite. Bupa Select offers the most basic and affordable coverage, while Bupa Elite offers the most comprehensive coverage with an annual limit of around USD $4,761,300. 

Bupa Global covers the following benefits in its plans:

• Inpatient treatment
• Cancer treatment
• Private hospital room coverage
• Medical evacuation coverage
• Health checks and screenings

Plan Details Get a Quote

MSH International Health Insurance in Taiwan, Province of China

MSH International provides medical insurance for expats in Taiwan through their international health insurance plans, First’Expat+. These plans provide comprehensive coverage to expats and provide access to both emergency and routine medical care. 

The First’Expat plan core benefits come in four different tiers of coverage: Hospi, Health, Health+, and Health+Child. Hospi covers hospital services and medical evacuation, Health covers routine healthcare services, Health+ covers vision and dental, and Health+Child covers maternity services. 

These core benefits can be further customized with different choices of annual limits and benefits. The coverage tiers of these different annual limits are Quartz, Pearl, Sapphire, and Diamond. 

Core benefits included in MSH International First’Expat plans are:

• Emergency hospitalization
• Intensive care
• Surgical procedures
• Laboratory tests and other diagnostics
• Hospitalized emergency dental care
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

If you’re interested in comparing quotes from international health insurance providers in Taiwan, click here!

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in Taiwan

You should consider your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are when choosing a health insurance plan for Taiwan. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right insurance plan for you. 

1. Your Budget: You should understand how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums, but this doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
2. The Length of Your Trip: How long your trip is will determine how long you will need to purchase coverage, and whether you will need a travel insurance plan that will last only a few months or something more comprehensive, like an international health insurance plan.
3. Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in Taiwan, Province of China? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure you have the right coverage for your health needs.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Taiwan, Province of China

Travelers in Taiwan can stay safe by preventing bug bites, watching out for severe weather warnings, and more. We will discuss more of these safety tips below. 

• Prevent Bug Bites: Travelers should prevent bug bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, sleeping under a mosquito net, and using mosquito repellent. Dengue virus is a risk in Taiwan and is spread through infected mosquito bites. 
• Watch Out for Severe Weather: May through November is typhoon season in Taiwan, and travelers should listen for typhoon warnings and take shelter if they receive one. Heavy rainstorms are frequent in the region, and earthquakes can occur as well.
• Practice Sun Safety: Expats can stay safe outdoors in the sun by eating and drinking regularly, wearing sunscreen, and limiting physical activity during high temperatures. Heat stroke can be deadly, and sun exposure can be increased during water activities.
• Travel With a First Aid Kit: A first aid kit can be a valuable resource to expats who are traveling in rural areas and won’t have access to close medical facilities.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Private health insurance in Taiwan, Province of China, can give expats peace of mind and extend the coverage they may receive from the public health insurance. For expats who don’t qualify for the public health insurance, private health insurance is vital. 

As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services as you search for private health insurance. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travelers worldwide.

Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Taiwan health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

Can foreigners access free healthcare in Taiwan?

Foreigners can access heavily subsidized healthcare in Taiwan if they qualify for the NHI card, but they will be required to pay a copayment. This copayment is usually small, and the government will reimburse the rest of the cost of the medical service. 

What is the top health insurance plan for expats in Taiwan? 

The top health insurance plans for expats in Taiwan, Province of China, are available through international health insurance providers like Cigna, Allianz, and AXA. These insurance providers offer comprehensive medical coverage for expats in Taiwan, Province of China, with global portability. 

Does Taiwan have good-quality healthcare?

Taiwan, Province of China, is known worldwide for its high-quality and efficient healthcare for both locals and expats. The public healthcare sector offers Western-quality medical services, but if you’d like shorter waiting times, visit the private healthcare sector. 

Do expats need health insurance for Taiwan?

Expats in Taiwan are strongly recommended to have health insurance to protect themselves against unexpected illness or injury. Even if you qualify for public health insurance, private health insurance can extend your coverage and grant you access to private healthcare facilities.