3.4 Accessibility for disadvantaged patients
The Taichung General Hospital of the Armed Forces upholds the principles of medical equity and social responsibility, dedicating itself to reducing healthcare barriers for disadvantaged groups and ensuring that all citizens—regardless of economic status, social background, or insurance coverage—can receive appropriate and continuous medical care. The hospital views medical accessibility as a fundamental pillar of sustainable healthcare development. Through institutionalized social support mechanisms, integration of medical aid resources, and cross-departmental collaboration, it has established a comprehensive care and financial assistance system for disadvantaged patients, thereby enhancing the fairness and accessibility of medical services.
Strengthening Support Mechanisms for Disadvantaged Patients
To enhance support mechanisms for disadvantaged patients, the hospital’s Social Work Office serves as the primary coordination point. It proactively conducts case assessments and needs evaluations for patients who are uninsured, have incomplete insurance coverage, face financial difficulties, or cannot afford medical expenses, providing appropriate assistance tailored to individual circumstances. Services include applying for government subsidies, accessing the hospital’s medical aid fund, connecting with charitable organizations, and referring patients to social welfare services. Through an integrated, cross-system resource model, the hospital helps patients and their families obtain necessary support, preventing financial barriers from compromising their access to medical care or causing interruptions in treatment.
Medical Emergency Aid Resource Network
The hospital continuously develops a diverse and stable network of medical emergency aid resources to enhance the resilience and service capacity of the medical aid system. For the fiscal year 2025, sources of medical emergency donations include the hospital’s internal medical aid fund, public charitable contributions, and resources from public welfare organizations such as the Taipei Xingtian Temple Foundation, Nan Shan Life Insurance Charity Foundation, and the Gratitude Social Welfare Foundation. These groups collaboratively support medical assistance efforts for disadvantaged patients. Over the course of the year, a total of 763 medical aid donations were received, with new donations amounting to NT$1,566,852, fully demonstrating the widespread support and care from all sectors of society for the medical care of disadvantaged individuals.
Medical Aid Execution Results
Regarding the provision of medical aid, the hospital utilizes donated resources from various social sectors to assist disadvantaged patients in covering essential expenses such as medical fees, nursing costs, ambulance charges, and placement costs for the first month after discharge. In 2025, a total of 58 economically disadvantaged patients received aid, with total subsidies amounting to NT$1,398,276. This support effectively alleviated the financial burden on patients and their families, ensuring the continuity of medical care and fulfilling the goal of uninterrupted medical services.
The detailed list of medical emergency donations for 2025 at Taichung General Hospital of the Armed Forces is as follows:
| Item | Xingtian Temple Medical Emergency Relief Special Fund | Nan Shan Life Charity Medical Assistance Fund | Gratitude Social Welfare Foundation | General Public or Organization Medical Donations | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Balance | 229,181 | 82,848 | 209,110 | 3,741,189 | 4,262,328 |
| 2025 Additions | 500,000 | 30,000 | 300,000 | 736,852 | 1,566,852 |
| 2025 Expenditures | 455,949 | 40,950 | 239,270 | 662,107 | 1,398,276 |
| 2025 Balance | 273,232 | 71,898 | 269,840 | 3,815,934 | 4,430,904 |
Emphasizing the Holistic Care Needs of Underserved Patients
In addition to providing financial assistance, our hospital places great emphasis on the holistic care needs of disadvantaged patients. Through the collaborative efforts of social workers, medical staff, and related professional teams, we help patients access long-term care, placement services, psychological support, and social welfare resources. This approach strengthens the support system for patients after discharge, reduces social risks associated with illness or economic factors, and enhances both the overall quality of care and quality of life. Our hospital is committed to transparency in medical service information and the protection of patients’ rights to informed consent. In accordance with relevant regulations, we publicly disclose various medical service fee standards, co-payments, and other related cost information for the public to review before seeking medical care, thereby improving the transparency and accessibility of medical fee information.
All relevant medical fee information is publicly available on the fee information page within the “Patient Guide” section of our hospital’s official website. The public can access this information online to review various fee standards and related regulations, serving as a reference for medical treatment and cost planning. Additionally, our hospital offers fee-related explanations and consultation services at service counters, including outpatient, inpatient, and billing desks. These services assist patients and their families in understanding medical expenses, reducing information gaps, and protecting patients’ rights to informed consent.
For detailed information on pricing and billing transparency, please refer to the “Patient Guide – Fee Information” section on our hospital’s official website.
Overall, our hospital effectively reduces medical barriers for disadvantaged groups through institutionalized social work intervention mechanisms, the integration of diverse medical aid resources, and the development of interdisciplinary support networks. These efforts enhance the equity of medical services and promote social inclusiveness. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen the coordination of social aid resources and case support services, improve care mechanisms and resource utilization efficiency for disadvantaged patients, implement a patient-centered care philosophy, and build a medical service system that integrates medical quality, social care, and sustainable value.