Living with Medtronic - Taichung, Taiwan

Taiwan, one of my beloved homelands.
Generally, and sadly Taiwan isn't exactly a great place for Diabetics, type 1 or 2.

As a Type 1, especially ones using the pump. You'll need to purchase everything through either one of the major hospitals that works with Medtronic, OR you have to purchase from pharmacies (usually only the ones near the hospital as well) that also works with Medtronic.

It's a damn complicated process. I was told by my doctor that the government may support my medical payments after I've been confirmed and officially recognized as a Diabetic. Which will take a minimum of half a year.
Because lol somehow we don't need anything medically related for half a year ._o

Second of all, generally Taiwan has what some people call the best government supported medical insurance. As in general, it does legitly cover for basically everything. HOWEVER, BOOHOO it covers NOTHING diabetic related, other than insulin. As far as it appears, there really just isn't enough Diabetics, especially Type 1s in Asia for the government to actually start supporting people like us.
Hence, all insulin all Pump materials must be personally paid for fully.

And please allow me to.. bitxx a little bit about my experience with the Taichung Medtronic office. First of all it appears they don't quite have a proper office. The original staff who had supported me had quit, and they hired some one who had beyond 0 knowledge of the materials I required when I had called for consultation regarding materials for 670G model.

I ended up going to Hong Kong to purchase months of supplies.

But allow me to mention... health insurance or not, unless perhaps you decide to pay for some extravegently expensive Health Insurance.. If you are on a pump. Good luck. Everything is not cheap at all. Insulin is covered so thats at least a good thing, needles are as well. However, the doctors that I've experienced so far in Taiwan is not all that... knowledgable regarding pump usage and what not. And it is rather sad as one of the Diabetic consultants (who is also a Type 1) had told me that the Hospital (or at least her hospital) was cutting down budgets for Diabetic patients because they did not view the essentiality of keeping much highly budgeted.

I highly suggest contacting the Taipei Medtronic office as they were a lot more professional. However they will definitely ask you to contact the office in your location (if you are not situated in Taipei). Therefore... if you must tell them that the office has no provided sufficient info an you are in requirement of the materials in order to get things fast and efficiently.

But then again, you have to pay for the full price.