Your First Health Screening in Taiwan: A Complete Guide for US Travelers

If you're traveling to Taiwan from the United States, you're in for a pleasant surprise: access to world-class healthcare at a fraction of what you'd pay back home. Taiwan's healthcare system consistently ranks among the best globally, and many Americans are discovering the value of combining travel with preventive health screenings.

"Advanced prevention and avoiding the occurrence of disease" is the only way to maintain optimal health. Whether you're visiting Taiwan for business, pleasure, or specifically for medical tourism, this is an opportunity to invest in your health while experiencing one of Asia's most vibrant destinations.

But how do you choose your first health check-up in Taiwan? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know as a US traveler.

Why Taiwan for Health Screenings?

As an American traveler, you might wonder why Taiwan has become a popular destination for health screenings:

Cost Advantage: Comprehensive health screenings that would cost $3,000-10,000+ in the US typically run $150-5,000 in Taiwan, with comparable or superior technology and expertise.

No Insurance Hassles: Direct, transparent pricing with no deductibles, co-pays, or insurance pre-approvals needed. New Dawn Health provides itemized receipt for reimbursements subject to your policy coverage.

Advanced Technology: Taiwan's medical facilities feature cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, often newer than what you'd find in many US hospitals.

Efficiency: Get comprehensive results in days, not weeks. Many facilities offer same-week appointments. For advanced imaging such as full body MRI, New Dawn Health gets priority direct booking access with advanced imaging centers.

English-Friendly: Major health screening centers cater to international patients with English-speaking staff and bilingual reports. 

Medical Tourism Infrastructure: Taiwan welcomes over 500,000 medical tourists annually, with established systems for international visitors. 

Understanding Taiwan's Healthcare System vs. US Healthcare

While Taiwan has National Health Insurance (NHI) that covers residents, as a US visitor, you'll be paying out-of-pocket for private health screenings. The good news? Even without insurance, costs are remarkably affordable compared to US prices.

What This Means for You:

• You'll access the same world-class facilities that serve both locals and international patients
• Pricing is fixed - no surprise bills later
• Payment is straightforward: cash, credit card, or wire transfer
• You can often book appointments within weeks, not months (depending on the hospital and service)
• Results and consultations are typically included in the package price

Comparison to US Healthcare:

• In the US, a comprehensive health screening might require multiple appointments, insurance approvals, and weeks or months of waiting
• In Taiwan, everything is streamlined into one visit at one facility
• You'll receive a detailed report (often bilingual) with a physician consultation included

Part 1: Key Factors to Consider

Before arranging your health check-up items, you need to evaluate these conditional factors to select the plan that is right for you:

Personal Health Profile

• Age and Gender: Different life stages require different screening focuses
• Family History: Is there a family history of disease? What is the disease incidence rate?
• Medical History: Past personal medical history, or "red flags" (abnormal results) from previous check-ups
• Lifestyle Factors: Personal lifestyle risk factors (smoking, drinking, sedentary work, stress levels)
• Current Symptoms: Recent physical signs or symptoms that concern you

Gender-Specific Considerations

For Women:

• Pap smear (cervical cancer screening)
• Mammography (breast cancer screening)
• HPV testing
• Bone density scan (especially post-menopause)
• Thyroid function tests

For Men:

• PSA test (prostate cancer screening, typically 50+)
• Testicular examination
• Additional cardiovascular risk assessment

Lifestyle-Based Additions

Your daily habits should influence your screening choices:

• Smokers or Former Smokers: Enhanced lung screening with LDCT (Low-Dose CT)
• Regular Alcohol Consumers: Comprehensive liver function tests, fatty liver screening
• Sedentary Office Workers: Metabolic syndrome panel, diabetes screening
• High-Stress Professions: Cardiovascular health focus (Heart Calcium Score CAC, Heart CT Angiogram), stress hormone testing
• Occupational Exposures: Tailored screening based on workplace hazards

Part 2: Age-Based Recommendations

Our team partners with the top health management hospitals (that have direct access to MRI and CT machines on site) in Taipei and share the following recommendations below from Beitou Health Management Hospital and iHope Clinic.

Age 30 and Above

Check-up Focus: Establishing your health baseline

Blood tests, urine tests, LDCT for early lung cancer screening, electrocardiogram (ECG), and abdominal ultrasound are the bare minimum for what should go in your health check up.

You can also screen for major diseases prone to causing sudden death in young people, such as arrhythmia, heart valve disease, cerebrovascular malformation, or aneurysm by considering a cardiac ultrasound or Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to check your vascular health.

Check-up Frequency: Once every 3-4 years, or as needed based on risk factors

Age 40 and Above

Check-up Focus: Early disease detection becomes critical

High-precision advanced imaging scans such as full body MRI can be arranged to clearly visualize lesions, thereby increasing the cancer screening rate and preventing the onset of chronic diseases. Also consider a gut health check by getting a upper endoscopy & colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.

Follow-up checks should be scheduled regularly based on abnormal findings in the check-up report.

This is when many chronic conditions begin to emerge, including:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Early-stage cancers

Check-up Frequency: Comprehensive health check-up once every 2-3 years

Age 50 and Above

Check-up Focus: Enhanced screening for major diseases

The likelihood of major diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer increases with age, so enhanced checks are advised. Consider adding:

• Colonoscopy (colorectal cancer screening)
• Advanced cardiac imaging (e.g., Heart CT Angiogram)
• Comprehensive cancer tumor marker panels (blog here)
• Bone density testing (e.g., DEXA)

Check-up Frequency: Comprehensive health check-up once every 1-2 years, adjustable based on physical condition

Age 65 and Above

Check-up Recommendations:

• The occurrence of major diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer increases with age, so advanced checks are advised
• Due to physiological age, certain diseases may already be tracked and monitored through hospital outpatient clinics, so those items do not need to be scheduled for the check-up
• Applying the concept of preventive medicine, you can add functional medicine, musculoskeletal system checks, and physical fitness tests to become a vibrant senior

Additional Focus Areas:

• Cognitive function assessment
• Fall risk evaluation
• Nutritional status
• Medication review

Check-up Frequency: Arrange a health check-up once every 1-2 years for items not routinely followed up at the hospital, adjustable based on medical history

Part 3: Preparing for Your Health Screening in Taiwan

Before Your Appointment

What You'll Need to Bring:

• Passport 
• Credit card or sufficient cash
• Previous medical records or health screening reports (if you have them)
• List of current medications and supplements (including generic names)
• Any specific health concerns written down
• Through New Dawn Health, all you will need to bring is your passport or any identification. The rest is taken care of beforehand and provided to the hospital for review to ensure a smooth and short check in process.
• Travel insurance information (if applicable)

Fasting Requirements:

• Typically 4-12 hours of fasting before blood tests (similar to US standards)
• Confirm specific requirements when booking - time zones matter for scheduling!

What to Wear:

• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing 
• Avoid metal accessories, underwire bras for imaging tests
• Easy to remove clothing for physical examination
• Taiwan's facilities provide gowns similar to those in US hospitals

Booking Your Screening as a US Traveler

How to Book:

• Email booking: Most facilities have English email support but may be delayed due to time zone difference
• Online booking through hospital websites: Many offer a version of English interfaces
• Through New Dawn Health: Our team coordinates everything for you - from package selection guidance (via our site or consultation), appointment scheduling, language assistance, streamlining communication with hospital to ensure you qualify for the exams, and payment logistics. 
• WhatsApp or international messaging apps such as LINE: Some facilities communicate this way

Timeline for Booking:

• Book 1-2 months in advance for flexibility in scheduling
• Last-minute appointments (within a month) are often available at less busy facilities
• Peak season (October-December) may require more advance notice

Coordinating with Your Travel Plans:

• Most comprehensive screenings take 3-5 hours
• Schedule for early in your trip in case follow-up is needed
• Allow 1-2 days for initial results discussion with doctor (New Dawn Health ensures this is done with most of our partner providers on the same day of health check up)
• Plan to stay accessible for 1-2 weeks if you want complete results before leaving Taiwan (e.g., biopsy results)

Popular Screening Locations for International Patients:

• Taipei: National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Cathay General Hospital
  • Please note: Many big hospitals (listed above for example) are booked 5-6 months out to accommodate local patients, but New Dawn Health has access to a wider network of hospitals and has had 100% success rate in booking all international clients in as short as 2 weeks. 
• Taichung: China Medical University Hospital
• Kaohsiung: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital
• International Medical Centers: Specifically designed for English-speaking patients with concierge services

Language Support: Major facilities offer:

• English-speaking coordinators
• Optional to get health reports translated into English 
• WhatsApp/email communication for follow-up questions

Cost Considerations for US Travelers

Here's what you can expect to pay in Taiwan (converted to USD for easy comparison):

• Basic Package: $150-500 (compare to $500-2,000 in the US)
• Comprehensive Package: $600-1,500 (compare to $2,000-5,000 in the US)
• Premium Package with Advanced Imaging: $1,800-5,000 (compare to $5,000-15,000+ in the US)

Payment Options:

• Credit cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard)
• Cash (USD can often be exchanged onsite or at nearby banks)
• Wire transfer (for locals)

Will US Insurance Cover This? Most US insurance plans don't cover preventive care abroad, but you can:

• Pay out-of-pocket (still likely cheaper than your US deductible)
• Submit receipts to your HSA/FSA for potential reimbursement
• Check if your plan offers out-of-network international benefits
• Some travel insurance policies may provide partial coverage

The Value Proposition: Even paying entirely out-of-pocket, many Americans find the combination of cost savings, efficiency, and quality makes Taiwan an excellent choice for comprehensive health screenings.

Part 4: Understanding Your Results

Timeline

• All test results typically available within 1-2 weeks (faster than most US facilities)
• Some basic results may be shared on the day of screening
• Complex imaging studies may take longer to interpret
• Digital copies usually provided for easy sharing with your US physician

Report Format

• Optional for translated reports (Chinese to English) standard at international facilities
• Results consultation with a physician is included in your package
• Digital copies often available through online portals or email
• Reports formatted similarly to US medical reports for easy interpretation

Sharing Results with Your US Doctor

Taiwan's medical reports are internationally recognized and easily shared:

• Scan images usually come in CD or USB form
• Digital format makes emailing to your US physician simple
• Most tests use international standards (same units, reference ranges)
• If follow-up is needed, your US doctor can coordinate based on Taiwan's findings

What Happens If Abnormalities Are Found?

Follow-up Process:

1. Physician consultation to explain findings
2. Recommendations for additional testing if needed
3. Referral to specialists if required
4. Follow-up screening timeline established
5. Lifestyle modification advice

Remember: Abnormal results don't always mean disease. Many require follow-up testing for confirmation.

Part 5: Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: "More tests are always better" Reality: Over-testing can lead to unnecessary anxiety and procedures. Focus on evidence-based screenings appropriate for your age and risk factors.

Myth 2: "Health screenings can diagnose diseases" Reality: Screenings detect potential issues for early intervention. Diagnosis requires additional confirmatory testing.

Myth 3: "One screening is enough" Reality: Regular, periodic screening is essential. Many conditions develop gradually and require monitoring over time.

Myth 4: "I feel fine, so I don't need screening" Reality: Many serious conditions have no symptoms in early stages. Americans often skip preventive care due to high costs and insurance barriers. In Taiwan, affordable screening removes these obstacles.

Myth 5: "The language barrier will be a problem" Reality: Major facilities have extensive experience with English-speaking patients. Miscommunication is rare at international medical centers.

Myth 6: "Taiwan's healthcare can't match US standards" Reality: Taiwan's healthcare system ranks higher than the US in most international comparisons. The technology and expertise are world-class, often exceeding US standards.

Part 6: Questions to Ask Your Provider or New Dawn Health

Before committing to a health screening package in Taiwan, ask:

1. What's included in this package? Get a detailed list of all tests and procedures and compare to what you'd get in the US
2. Is English-language support available? Confirm interpreters, bilingual staff, and report language
3. What are the total costs in USD? Avoid surprises; get all-inclusive pricing
4. Are there any radiation-involved tests? Understand exposure levels, especially if pregnant or planning pregnancy
5. How and when will results be communicated? Will you get a consultation? Can it be done via video call after you return to the US?
6. What's the process if something abnormal is found? Can you get follow-up in Taiwan, or will they coordinate with your US physician?
7. Can I customize the package? Adding or removing specific tests based on your needs and US medical history
8. What's your refund or rescheduling policy? Important for travelers whose plans might change

Making Your Decision: Combining Health and Travel

Choosing your first health screening in Taiwan as a US traveler is an exciting opportunity to prioritize your health while experiencing a new culture. Here's how to approach it:

1. Start with the basics that match your age, gender, and health history
2. Consider what you've been putting off due to US healthcare costs or wait times
3. Choose a reputable, JCI-accredited facility with strong reviews from international patients
4. Don't overspend on unnecessary tests, but don't skimp on what matters
5. Build it into your travel itinerary: Taiwan offers incredible food, culture, and natural beauty to enjoy around your appointment
6. Plan for follow-up: whether in Taiwan or coordinating with your doctor back home

Practical Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit for Health Screening:

• Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November): Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
• Avoid typhoon season (July-September) if possible
• Chinese New Year (January/February) may affect facility availability

Where to Stay:

• Most major screening centers are in Taipei - stay nearby in districts like Xinyi, Da'an, or Zhongshan
• Budget options: $30-80/night for quality hotels
• International chains available: Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton (often under $150/night)

Getting Around:

• Taipei MRT (subway) is efficient, clean, and English-friendly
• Uber and Taxis are affordable ($5-15 for most city trips)
• Many screening facilities offer shuttle services or are MRT-accessible

Making the Most of Your Trip:

• Schedule screening early in your visit
• Explore Taiwan's night markets, temples, hot springs, and mountain scenery
• Day trips to Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, or Sun Moon Lake easily arranged
• Taiwan is consistently ranked one of the safest countries for travelers

Why Choose New Dawn Health?

As a US traveler navigating Taiwan's healthcare system, you don't have to do it alone. New Dawn Health specializes in helping international English speaking patients access Taiwan's world-class health screening services with:

• Personalized Package Recommendations: Our team did all of the extensive research across all major hospitals and clinics so you don't have to. We'll help you choose the right screening based on your age, health history, and concerns.
• Seamless Coordination: From booking to results, we handle all the details
• English Support: English-speaking coordinators who understand US healthcare expectations
• Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees, all costs clearly explained in USD
• Medical & Wellness Concierge Services: Help with building upon your itinerary for your speciality / elective services such as dental, medical beauty, hair & scalp, and more. 
• Follow-up Support: We ensure you have what you need to coordinate with your physician back home for any needed follow-up care

Your health is your most valuable asset, and Taiwan offers an unparalleled opportunity to invest in it without the financial burden or bureaucratic hassles of the US system. Whether you're visiting Taiwan for business, vacation, or specifically for healthcare, comprehensive screening is both accessible and affordable here.

Ready to take the next step? Check out New Dawn Health to directly book or schedule a free consultation to discuss personalized health screening options tailored to your needs as a US traveler. We'll make your healthcare journey in Taiwan smooth, stress-free, and valuable.

Last updated: October 2025