The National Health Insurance’s (NHI) compensation plan treats women unfairly and has contributed to a decrease in the number of gynecologists in Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Huang Sue-ying (黃淑英) said yesterday.
Huang, accompanied by representatives from women’s groups, told a press conference that the compensation system needed a major overhaul because many medical procedures and treatments for women were not adequately compensated.
A doctor who performs an appendectomy receives more compensation from the NHI than a doctor who delivers a baby through natural childbirth, which is a much more complex and strenuous procedure, Huang said.
Performing a gynecological ultrasound qualifies for less compensation than urological ultrasound, and the same goes for regular check-ups or running tests, the lawmaker said.
Physical exams for male reproductive organs, such as taking a sample from testicles, also pays more than gynecological check-ups, Huang said.
“Not only is this unfair to women, but is also detrimental for the field of gynecology,” Huang said.
Citing statistics from the Taiwan Medical Association, Huang said that from 2000 through last year, the number of doctors practicing internal medicine, pediatrics and surgery has grown, while the number of gynecologists has decreased by 1.2 percent.
The average age of gynecologists was 52.2, much higher than the average age of all doctors, which was 44.5, Huang said, adding that this showed fewer medical students were choosing gynecology as a specialty.
“Gynecologists have to perform high-risk surgeries and provide complex medical treatment. Coupled with the unfair compensation system, young doctors are hesitating to choose gynecology,” said Tsai Wan-fen (蔡宛芬), secretary-general of Taiwan Women’s Link.
The Bureau of National Health Insurance yesterday said it had introduced several measures to encourage doctors to practice gynecology and it would hold meetings to discuss a re-assessment of the NHI compensation system for medical care for women.
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