Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
[Reporters Zeng Weizhen and Wang Changmin / Taipei Report]
How much does it cost to give birth prematurely in Sweden? A woman surnamed Zhong, who accompanied the Kaohsiung City Government to the Copenhagen Climate Conference last year, unexpectedly went into premature labor. The mother and child received medical treatment in Malmö, Sweden, where their medical expenses reached a staggering NT$4 million.
### Delivering a 1,000-gram premature baby
Under the current system, Zhong is estimated to receive only about NT$120,000 in National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursements. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kuan Bi-ling argued that since Zhong was representing the government abroad in a quasi-public servant capacity, the government should provide special subsidies. Tsai Shu-ling, head of the NHI Administration’s Medical Management Division, stated that they would hold special discussions on issues such as neonatal incubator costs, which are not currently covered by reimbursements. She also advised organizations to carefully assess the risks and benefits before sending pregnant women overseas for activities.
A Kaohsiung-based environmental technology company arranged for the city government’s participation in the Copenhagen Climate Conference at the end of last year and assigned Zhong, who was over six months pregnant, as part of the delegation. On the closing day, December 18, Zhong suddenly experienced bleeding and was rushed to Malmö University Hospital, where she underwent an emergency cesarean section, delivering a premature baby weighing only 1,000 grams. The infant remained in an incubator and was only discharged and returned to Taiwan in late March this year.
The hospital charged NT$27,000 per day for the neonatal incubator, with the total medical expenses for mother and child nearing NT$4 million. However, NHI reimbursements cover only NT$1,595 for outpatient care, NT$2,740 for emergency treatment, NT$6,753 per day for hospitalization, and NT$36,335 for childbirth—totaling roughly NT$120,000.
Zhong’s personal medical expenses of NT$500,000 were temporarily split between her company and family, while the NT$3.5 million bill for the infant is being negotiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Swedish government in hopes of securing a discount.
Kuan Bi-ling noted that premature birth at six months is extremely rare and urged the NHI Administration to revise its regulations to prevent newborns from becoming an unbearable financial burden on families.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……0/ new/ apr/ 19/ today- life4. htm
Business Trip in Sweden: Premature Birth, 4M Medical Bill for Mother & Baby
How much does it cost to give birth prematurely in Sweden? A woman surnamed Zhong, who accompanied the Kaohsiung City Government to the Copenhagen Climate Conference last year, unexpectedly went into premature labor. The mother and child received medical treatment in Malmö, Sweden, where their medical expenses reached a staggering NT$4 million.
### Delivering a 1,000-gram premature baby
Under the current system, Zhong is estimated to receive only about NT$120,000 in National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursements. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kuan Bi-ling argued that since Zhong was representing the government abroad in a quasi-public servant capacity, the government should provide special subsidies. Tsai Shu-ling, head of the NHI Administration’s Medical Management Division, stated that they would hold special discussions on issues such as neonatal incubator costs, which are not currently covered by reimbursements. She also advised organizations to carefully assess the risks and benefits before sending pregnant women overseas for activities.
A Kaohsiung-based environmental technology company arranged for the city government’s participation in the Copenhagen Climate Conference at the end of last year and assigned Zhong, who was over six months pregnant, as part of the delegation. On the closing day, December 18, Zhong suddenly experienced bleeding and was rushed to Malmö University Hospital, where she underwent an emergency cesarean section, delivering a premature baby weighing only 1,000 grams. The infant remained in an incubator and was only discharged and returned to Taiwan in late March this year.
The hospital charged NT$27,000 per day for the neonatal incubator, with the total medical expenses for mother and child nearing NT$4 million. However, NHI reimbursements cover only NT$1,595 for outpatient care, NT$2,740 for emergency treatment, NT$6,753 per day for hospitalization, and NT$36,335 for childbirth—totaling roughly NT$120,000.
Zhong’s personal medical expenses of NT$500,000 were temporarily split between her company and family, while the NT$3.5 million bill for the infant is being negotiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Swedish government in hopes of securing a discount.
Kuan Bi-ling noted that premature birth at six months is extremely rare and urged the NHI Administration to revise its regulations to prevent newborns from becoming an unbearable financial burden on families.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……0/ new/ apr/ 19/ today- life4. htm