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# An ophthalmologist on Sunday
- URL: https://www.taiwanquest.com/experiences-with-national-health-insurance-in-taiwan/
- Published: 2025-02-03T10:52:43.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-14T18:07:09.000Z
- Description: Experiences with National Health Insurance in Taiwan…
- Author: Zhen-Kang

Four weeks ago, I woke up unable to open my left eye. My eyelid and surrounding area were swollen enough to push the eyelid closed.

It was Sunday morning, so I assumed I’d have to go to the ER.

But no: my partner told me about an eye clinic 10 minutes away by scooter.

Arriving at 11am without an appointment, I waited only an hour to see an ophthalmologist.

He diagnosed a staph infection and prescribed oral antibiotics, antibiotic eye ointment, and anti-inflammatory eye drops—which I collected from a pharmacy counter on the other side of the waiting room.

The whole experience cost NT$200 (NZ$10).

In New Zealand, it’s normal to wait [weeks to see a GP](https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/why-does-it-take-so-long-to-see-your-gp) and [months for an initial ophthalmology consultation](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/524582/health-service-cuts-new-zealanders-are-waiting-too-long).

[A Google search](https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=%22ophthalmologist%22+%22going+blind%22+%22wait%22+site%3Anz&sca%5Fesv=13f587191ce8c262&source=hp&ei=8JCgZ%5FPcBYfY1e8PtK2lwAs&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAZ6CfAAqkCj5lkz7jBCDwe1NSVyT8nj%5Fi&ved=0ahUKEwjzlM7cnKeLAxUHbPUHHbRWCbgQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=%22ophthalmologist%22+%22going+blind%22+%22wait%22+site%3Anz&gs%5Flp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6Ii4ib3BodGhhbG1vbG9naXN0IiAiZ29pbmcgYmxpbmQiICJ3YWl0IiBzaXRlOm56SKBZUABY8FdwBHgAkAEAmAFqoAHAGqoBBDQ3LjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAi6gAqIbqAIAwgIFEAAYgATCAgUQLhiABMICCxAuGIAEGNEDGMcBwgIIEC4YgAQY1ALCAgcQABiABBgKwgIGEAAYFhgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAgUQABjvBcICCBAAGIAEGKIEwgIFECEYoAHCAgUQIRifBcICBxAhGKABGArCAgQQIRgVmAMA8QX55HUmswaQupIHBDQ0LjKgB7HSAQ&sclient=gws-wiz&sei=%5F5CgZ4zwHpbDvr0PhJKhgQQ) reveals 20 years’ worth of news reports about people going blind on the ophthalmology wait list.

Meanwhile, here in Taiwan, I only waited an hour.

Ten days later, I was even more impressed: the infection flared up, so I returned to the clinic. This time I waited only 10 minutes.

The ophthalmologist said minor surgery was required. And so, less than half-an-hour after arriving (sans appointment), I underwent eyelid surgery.

The consultation, surgery, and medicines cost another NT$200 (NZ$10).

Two-and-a-half weeks later, my eye is fine.

I realize Taiwan’s health system isn’t perfect. But in relative terms, it’s spectacular.

## Don’t forget the dentists

I’ve had a dental check-up three times in Taiwan. (I made appointments, but walk-ins are welcome, too.)

My last visit involved a 3D [Cone Beam Computed Tomography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone%5Fbeam%5Fcomputed%5Ftomography) scan, check-up, and dental cleaning—all for NT$100 (NZ$5), along with a free tube of toothpaste.

National Health Insurance entitles us to this preventive care twice a year. But other dental services are similarly priced: a friend had a root canal for NT$150 (NZ$7.50).

Ten years ago, I had an emergency root canal in New Zealand. It almost broke me, costing close to NZ$5,000 (NT$100,000).

## Orthopaedic surgery, anyone?

One of the first people I met in Taiwan was an orthopaedic surgeon. This was back before I qualified for National Health Insurance, so I was curious to ask about the Taiwanese health system.

The surgeon said he felt bad because sometimes his patients wait 12 days for a hip replacement.

My neighbor in New Zealand waited 18 months.

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## Update: February 6, 2025

[Taiwan’s healthcare system has just been ranked the best in the world for the seventh year in a row](https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/06/2003831422) (Taipei Times).

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