Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
Update Date: 2010/02/24 22:16
Many people mistake the tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) at traditional Chinese medicine clinics for relaxing massages. Since it's covered by health insurance, patients only need to pay 100 NTD, which is several times cheaper than going to a massage parlor. However, starting in April, patients receiving tuina treatment at TCM clinics must have the entire session performed by a licensed TCM physician; otherwise, the health insurance won’t cover it. This regulation is aimed at protecting patients, as having assistants perform tuina could lead to accidental injuries.
Ms. Chen, a nurse with scoliosis, previously relied on tuina assistants for treatment, only to find her condition worsening. An X-ray revealed such severe deterioration that even the doctor shook his head in dismay. Now, terrified, Ms. Chen insists on having a licensed TCM physician adjust her bones. At this TCM clinic, the seven or eight beds are often fully booked, but to avoid problems caused by assistant-performed tuina, physicians handle all treatments themselves. Even a slight mistake could leave patients struggling to walk.
Yet, some clinics still rely on experienced tuina assistants to retain their clientele. With health insurance coverage, patients only paid 100 NTD to enjoy a full session with an assistant. Now, with insurance no longer covering it and treatments switching to self-pay, clinics have posted new pricing: meridian massages cost 800 NTD, and foot reflexology costs 500 NTD per hour. This change has clinics worried about losing customers.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100224/ 69/ 20zag. html
Update Date: 2010/02/24 20:01
There are currently over ten thousand traditional Chinese medicine assistant massage therapists across Taiwan. Now, with a sudden order from the Bureau of National Health Insurance, they may all face the dilemma of unemployment. Many massage therapists have expressed that the government's approach is too hasty, lacking both a transition period and consideration for their livelihoods. They are calling on the government to establish a certification standard and issue professional licenses rather than simply suppressing their profession.
Pressing meridians, relaxing tense muscles, stretching legs, and loosening lower-body joints—54-year-old massage therapist Chen Mingrong demonstrates his deft massage techniques. Six years ago, after his wife suffered an injury and needed rehabilitation, Chen took up massage therapy. Last year, he even found a second career through his massage skills, working as a massage therapist at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic during the day. But now, with the Bureau of National Health Insurance's sudden order, he faces the threat of unemployment.
Filled with frustration, he criticizes the government for acting too rashly. But with over ten thousand massage therapists across Taiwan suddenly left in limbo, where are they supposed to go?
They hope the government will establish a certification standard. After all, massage therapy, as part of folk medicine, has long existed in a gray area of medical regulation. However, the Bureau of National Health Insurance abruptly canceled massage therapy reimbursements without any supporting measures, which could lead to significant repercussions in the traditional Chinese medicine sector.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100224/ 11/ 20z2i. html
Non-TCM Massage Not Covered by Health Insurance!
Many people mistake the tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) at traditional Chinese medicine clinics for relaxing massages. Since it's covered by health insurance, patients only need to pay 100 NTD, which is several times cheaper than going to a massage parlor. However, starting in April, patients receiving tuina treatment at TCM clinics must have the entire session performed by a licensed TCM physician; otherwise, the health insurance won’t cover it. This regulation is aimed at protecting patients, as having assistants perform tuina could lead to accidental injuries.
Ms. Chen, a nurse with scoliosis, previously relied on tuina assistants for treatment, only to find her condition worsening. An X-ray revealed such severe deterioration that even the doctor shook his head in dismay. Now, terrified, Ms. Chen insists on having a licensed TCM physician adjust her bones. At this TCM clinic, the seven or eight beds are often fully booked, but to avoid problems caused by assistant-performed tuina, physicians handle all treatments themselves. Even a slight mistake could leave patients struggling to walk.
Yet, some clinics still rely on experienced tuina assistants to retain their clientele. With health insurance coverage, patients only paid 100 NTD to enjoy a full session with an assistant. Now, with insurance no longer covering it and treatments switching to self-pay, clinics have posted new pricing: meridian massages cost 800 NTD, and foot reflexology costs 500 NTD per hour. This change has clinics worried about losing customers.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100224/ 69/ 20zag. html
Where to Go? Thousands of Masseurs Face Unemployment
There are currently over ten thousand traditional Chinese medicine assistant massage therapists across Taiwan. Now, with a sudden order from the Bureau of National Health Insurance, they may all face the dilemma of unemployment. Many massage therapists have expressed that the government's approach is too hasty, lacking both a transition period and consideration for their livelihoods. They are calling on the government to establish a certification standard and issue professional licenses rather than simply suppressing their profession.
Pressing meridians, relaxing tense muscles, stretching legs, and loosening lower-body joints—54-year-old massage therapist Chen Mingrong demonstrates his deft massage techniques. Six years ago, after his wife suffered an injury and needed rehabilitation, Chen took up massage therapy. Last year, he even found a second career through his massage skills, working as a massage therapist at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic during the day. But now, with the Bureau of National Health Insurance's sudden order, he faces the threat of unemployment.
Filled with frustration, he criticizes the government for acting too rashly. But with over ten thousand massage therapists across Taiwan suddenly left in limbo, where are they supposed to go?
They hope the government will establish a certification standard. After all, massage therapy, as part of folk medicine, has long existed in a gray area of medical regulation. However, the Bureau of National Health Insurance abruptly canceled massage therapy reimbursements without any supporting measures, which could lead to significant repercussions in the traditional Chinese medicine sector.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100224/ 11/ 20z2i. html