1. What Should You Do When You Get Sick in Taiwan?

Mild Illness

Examples:

• Common cold

• Fever

• Stomachache

• Diarrhea

• Minor skin problems

• Allergies

 

Recommended:

• Visit a local clinic (診所)

• Wait times are often 10–30 minutes

• No referral is required

 

Moderate Illness

Examples:

• Persistent fever

• Severe infection

• Fractures

• Significant pain

• Specialist consultation needed

 

Recommended:

• Visit a regional hospital or medical center

• You can directly book specialists (ENT, Dermatology, Orthopedics, Cardiology, etc.) without a referral.

 

Emergency Situations

Examples:

• Chest pain

• Stroke symptoms

• Serious accidents

• Difficulty breathing

• Severe bleeding

• Loss of consciousness

 

Recommended:

• Call 119 immediately

• Go to an Emergency Room (ER)

 

 

2. Understanding Taiwan's Healthcare System

Taiwan has a tiered healthcare system:

 

         Level                          Typical Use

         Clinic                           Minor illnesses

         District Hospital           Routine treatment

         Regional Hospital        Specialized treatment

         Medical Center            Advanced and complex cases

 

Patients may choose any hospital directly; referrals are not mandatory.

 

 

3. If You Have National Health Insurance (NHI)

NHI covers:

• Doctor consultations

• Emergency treatment

• Prescriptions

• Laboratory tests

• Surgery

• Hospitalization

Most costs are subsidized by NHI. Patients only pay registration fees and copayments.

 

Typical Outpatient Cost

         Facility                     Approximate Cost

         Clinic                         NT$150–300

         District Hospital         NT$170–300

         Regional Hospital      NT$250–500

         Medical Center          NT$400–700

Includes:

• Registration

• Copayment

• Basic medications

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Emergency Room Cost (with NHI)

       Treatment                   Estimated Cost

       Minor ER visit              NT$500–1,500

       ER + X-ray                   NT$800–2,000

       ER + CT Scan             NT$2,000–5,000

 

 

4. If You Do NOT Have NHI

Foreign tourists and newly arrived residents can still receive treatment.

Bring:

• Passport

• ARC (if applicable)

• Travel insurance card (if available)

Hospitals will charge self-pay rates.

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Typical Self-Pay Costs

Clinic:                           

       Service                                   Estimated Cost

       Consultation + Medicine          NT$500–1,500

 

Hospital Outpatient:

      Service                                    Estimated Cost

      Consultation                             NT$1,500–3,000+

      Consultation + Medication        NT$2,000–5,000

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Emergency Room:

     Service                                     Estimated Cost

     Basic ER Visit                            NT$3,000–6,000

     ER + X-ray                                 NT$4,000–8,000

     ER + CT Scan                            NT$6,000–15,000+

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Even without insurance, Taiwan is generally far less expensive than healthcare in North America, Australia, or much of Europe.

 

 

5. Ambulance Service (119)

When to Call

Call 119 for:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Serious injury

• Difficulty breathing

• Unconscious patient

• Major traffic accident

 

Cost

In most cities and counties:

Emergency Ambulance

Free of charge

provided by local Fire Departments for genuine emergencies.

However:

• Non-emergency transportation may incur fees.

• Private ambulance transfers may be charged separately.

Always call 119 first.

 

 

6. Recommended English-Friendly Hospitals

These hospitals have dedicated international medical centers and multilingual support.

 

= Taipei City =

National Taiwan University Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2312-3456
Add.：No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Web：http://www.ntuh.gov.tw

 

Mackay Memorial Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2543-3535
Add.：No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Web：http://www.mmh.org.tw

 

Taiwan Adventist Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2771-8151
Add.：No. 424, Sec. 2, Bade Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City
Web：http://www.tahsda.org.tw

 

Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2833-2211
Add.：No. 95, Wenchang Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City
Web：http://www.skh.org.tw

 

Cheng Hsin General Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2826-4400
Add.：No. 45, Zhenxing St., Beitou District, Taipei City
Web：http://www.chgh.org.tw

 

 

= New Taipei City =

Shuang Ho Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2249-0088
Add.：No. 291, Zhongzheng Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City
Web：http://www.shh.org.tw

 

Cardinal Tien Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-2219-3391
Add.：No. 362, Zhongzheng Rd., Xindian District, New Taipei City
Web：http://www.cth.org.tw

 

Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital

Tel.：+886-2-8512-8888
Add.：No. 69, Guizi Rd., Taishan District, New Taipei City
Web：http://www.hospital.fju.edu.tw

 

 

= Taoyuan City =

Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Tel.：+886-3-328-1200
Add.：No. 5, Fuxing St., Guishan District, Taoyuan City
Web：http://www.cgmh.org.tw

 

Taiwan Landseed International Hospital

Tel.：+886-3-494-1234
Add.：No. 77, Guangtai Rd., Pingzhen District, Taoyuan City
Web：http://www.landseedhospital.com.tw

 

 

= Taichung City =

Taichung Veterans General Hospital

Tel.：+886-4-2359-2525
Add.：No. 1650, Taiwan Blvd. Sec. 4, Xitun District, Taichung City
Web：http://www.vghtc.gov.tw

 

China Medical University Hospital

Tel.：+886-4-2205-2121
Add.：No. 2, Yude Rd., North District, Taichung City
Web：http://www.cmuh.cmu.edu.tw

 

 

= Tainan City =

Chi Mei Medical Center

Tel.：+886-6-281-2811
Add.：No. 901, Zhonghua Rd., Yongkang District, Tainan City
Web：http://www.chimei.org.tw

 

National Cheng Kung University Hospital

Tel.：+886-6-235-3535
Add.：No. 138, Shengli Rd., North District, Tainan City
Web：http://www.hosp.ncku.edu.tw

 

 

= Kaohsiung City =

Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital

Tel.：+886-7-312-1101
Add.：No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
Web：http://www.kmuh.org.tw

 

Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Tel.：+886-7-731-7123
Add.：No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong District, Kaohsiung City
Web：http://www.cgmh.org.tw

 

Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital

Tel.：+886-7-342-2121
Add.：No. 386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Web：http://www.vghks.gov.tw

 

 

Useful Emergency Numbers

         Service                             Number

         Ambulance                           119

         Fire Department                   119

         Police                                   110

         24-Hour Citizen Hotline       1999 (local government)

 

 

Quick Advice for Foreigners

Tourist (under 90 days)

✓ Buy travel insurance before arrival

✓ Use major hospitals if serious illness occurs

✓ Carry passport at all times

 

Student / Digital Nomad

✓ Consider private health insurance until NHI eligibility begins

✓ Register at a nearby hospital with English support

 

ARC Holder / Long-Term Resident

✓ Enroll in NHI as soon as eligible

✓ Download hospital appointment apps

✓ Keep a copy of your NHI card on your phone

 

In an Emergency

1. Call 119

2. State:

   • Location

   • Symptoms

   • Number of patients

3. Follow dispatcher instructions

4. Bring passport, ARC, or NHI card if possible

 

Taiwan's healthcare system is generally efficient, affordable, and foreigner-friendly. Even without NHI, most routine medical care remains relatively accessible compared with many Western countries.

 

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If there is any updated information, please feel free to let us know so we can make corrections.

Thanks you !

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