Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
2010-03-15 China Times Zhang Cuifen / Taipei Report
The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) has mandated that only treatments performed by licensed Chinese medicine practitioners can be claimed under health insurance, with strict inspections beginning in April. Patients accustomed to receiving free tui na (massage) from assistants at Chinese medicine clinics will now have to pay out of pocket. However, fees vary widely, ranging from NT$50 to NT$200, creating confusion among the public about what is covered by insurance and what requires self-payment.
In response to the NHIA’s April crackdown, many Chinese medicine clinics have renovated their spaces, clearly separating "treatment areas" from "folk therapy areas" and posting notices stating, "Assistant-performed tui na is not covered by health insurance," informing patients they must pay themselves.
**Non-Practitioner Tui Na Not Covered by Insurance**
It is reported that the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region has set a standard fee of at least NT$100 per folk therapy session, while Taipei and New Taipei City charge between NT$50 and NT$200, with no standardized duration or content—relying instead on experiential norms. Generally, one session is limited to two body areas, unlike full-body treatments offered at commercial spas.
Many patients leave upon learning they must pay. Sun, a tui na assistant with ten years of experience, noted that bone-setting, tui na, and massage prices vary greatly, starting at NT$800 per session in Taipei’s eastern district and around NT$500 elsewhere.
At his clinic, where services were previously free, he could see 30 patients a day. Now, with a NT$50 fee for a 10-minute session—cheaper than blind massage services—customer numbers have dropped by 30–40%.
**April Crackdown Drives Away Customers**
Some clinics previously attracted patients with promotions like "free tui na with acupuncture" or waived registration fees for insurance card holders. At the National Chinese Medicine Day conference, Shih Chun-chuan, honorary chairman of the Taipei Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association, emphasized that such practices are prohibited. Folk therapy areas cannot claim medical fees, advertise promotions, or engage in medical procedures.
**Where’s the Line Between Medical Treatment and Folk Therapy?**
Are conditions like sprained ankles covered by insurance? Shih clarified that acute sprains, contusions, stiff necks, tennis elbow, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, and degenerative arthritis fall under insured orthopedic treatments, and clinics cannot charge patients.
Folk therapy, however, is strictly regulated: practitioners cannot use medical devices, administer drugs, or perform invasive procedures like bloodletting or spinal adjustments. Only massage, acupressure, gua sha, spiritual healing, cupping, and qigong are permitted. Folk therapies must charge fees and cannot be offered for free.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ 2……0302+112010031500041,00. html
TCM Assistant: A Mess of Self-Pay Fees
The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) has mandated that only treatments performed by licensed Chinese medicine practitioners can be claimed under health insurance, with strict inspections beginning in April. Patients accustomed to receiving free tui na (massage) from assistants at Chinese medicine clinics will now have to pay out of pocket. However, fees vary widely, ranging from NT$50 to NT$200, creating confusion among the public about what is covered by insurance and what requires self-payment.
In response to the NHIA’s April crackdown, many Chinese medicine clinics have renovated their spaces, clearly separating "treatment areas" from "folk therapy areas" and posting notices stating, "Assistant-performed tui na is not covered by health insurance," informing patients they must pay themselves.
**Non-Practitioner Tui Na Not Covered by Insurance**
It is reported that the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region has set a standard fee of at least NT$100 per folk therapy session, while Taipei and New Taipei City charge between NT$50 and NT$200, with no standardized duration or content—relying instead on experiential norms. Generally, one session is limited to two body areas, unlike full-body treatments offered at commercial spas.
Many patients leave upon learning they must pay. Sun, a tui na assistant with ten years of experience, noted that bone-setting, tui na, and massage prices vary greatly, starting at NT$800 per session in Taipei’s eastern district and around NT$500 elsewhere.
At his clinic, where services were previously free, he could see 30 patients a day. Now, with a NT$50 fee for a 10-minute session—cheaper than blind massage services—customer numbers have dropped by 30–40%.
**April Crackdown Drives Away Customers**
Some clinics previously attracted patients with promotions like "free tui na with acupuncture" or waived registration fees for insurance card holders. At the National Chinese Medicine Day conference, Shih Chun-chuan, honorary chairman of the Taipei Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association, emphasized that such practices are prohibited. Folk therapy areas cannot claim medical fees, advertise promotions, or engage in medical procedures.
**Where’s the Line Between Medical Treatment and Folk Therapy?**
Are conditions like sprained ankles covered by insurance? Shih clarified that acute sprains, contusions, stiff necks, tennis elbow, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, and degenerative arthritis fall under insured orthopedic treatments, and clinics cannot charge patients.
Folk therapy, however, is strictly regulated: practitioners cannot use medical devices, administer drugs, or perform invasive procedures like bloodletting or spinal adjustments. Only massage, acupressure, gua sha, spiritual healing, cupping, and qigong are permitted. Folk therapies must charge fees and cannot be offered for free.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ 2……0302+112010031500041,00. html