Traditional Chinese Medicine and International Health Insurance
In this third article of the Expatmedicare's 12-part series that examines healthcare facilities in Shanghai and what expats need to know about international health insurance, Expatmedicare examines the relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine and international health insurance. As TCM gains popularity, international health insurers are gradually including TCM in their benefits to cater to the changing needs. Expatmedicare takes you down the history of TCM, its influence on modern healthcare and coverage options available from international health insurance providers.
The ancient art of TCM probably dates back more than 5,000 years. The fact that it is still practiced today is a testament of its value and relevance to modern day healthcare. TCM therapy primarily includes Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, tui na massage and bone setting (similar to chiropractic), and treatment starts with the analysis of the entire system, then focuses on the correction of pathological changes through readjusting the body to help the qi flow better.
Modern TCM
What sets TCM apart from Western medicine practice is its focus on the whole body and a holistic understanding of the universe as described in Daoism.
As more people discover TCM, more are open to combining it with Western medicine to help with illness and overall health. Dr. Eva Zhang, a doctor at the Shanghai East International Clinic says "People seem more willing to try TCM than ever before, as they seek out more alternatives and options. TCM has gained more prominence around the world, and foreigners staying in China naturally want to take advantage of being in the middle of the home of this ancient medicine where it is still practiced so widely."
People looking for cures for everything from the common cold to weight loss and high blood pressure to cigarette addiction are looking beyond their Western doctors to experienced TCM doctors.
Dr. Lawrence Huang, the owner of Tranquility Medical Center here in Shanghai, says that European and American patients make up about 20 percent of his clients now, a huge jump in the last few years. Even though his patients come to him with a variety of problems, the most common being weight loss or body pain, he says that his main objective and the focus of TCM is to make sure everything in the body is right. Depending on the problem, he uses a variety of methods, which typically include bone setting, acupuncture and, sometimes, herbal remedies.
For more serious health issues – like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol – the combining of TCM with Western medicine can be beneficial. While Western medicine provides quicker relief, TCM can help eliminate problems long-term, without the need of prescriptions or herbal supplements.
Kindergarten teacher Jackie Dicon had thyroid problems for a long time where she felt sluggish and with little energy. At the advice of a friend and some research, she decided to give TCM a try. After a few appointments, a few bone settings and some herbal medication, she began feeling more energized in a way that she hadn't experienced while taking her Western prescriptions. Now Jackie, a convert to TCM, uses TCM to help most of her ailments, whether it's a bad knee, high blood pressure or a sinus infection. She said that she has recommended it to her friends – even those with children – and they've all had great experiences with the Chinese way.
"The Chinese way of medicine treats all of you, not just for a certain symptom or a single problem like with Western medicine and medications," she says.
One issue for TCM doctors is the patients' lack of actual patience. Dr. Huang says that some patients unrealistically expect to see results within their first visit or two. He emphasizes that effectiveness and finding a true cure is most important aspect of what he does – not just finding a quick fix.
Cost of TCM in Shanghai
Prices vary between treatments at international hospitals and private clinics.
TCM Education
Not only is interest growing among non-native Chinese to explore TCM procedures, but also more and more are interested in learning about the practice. Dr. Eva Zhang has been teaching a TCM course at the Expat Learning Center for five years. The class is a comprehensive overview and an intensive introduction to the field of TCM, with an emphasis on diet and lifestyle changes that just about everyone can implement in order to live happier healthier lives.
She says that the course has always been extremely popular among foreigners because they understand the benefits of TCM and want to know more about how it can compliment their current approach to healing and staying healthy. "The preventive side of TCM is definitely appealing to everyone who takes this course," she says. "Just as the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Amena Schlaikjer has lived in China for 20 years so she was familiar with TCM's general theories. After regularly using acupuncture, tui na massage and herbal remedies to help her with various health issues, she decided to learn more about the specifics. She took Dr. Zhang's course and says she enjoyed learning more about the body's meridians, where they run through the body and what organ systems they affect. She says that TCM is tremendously useful to gain a holistic understanding of the body. "A deeper understanding makes you delicately aware of your body, it's flows and fluctuations, and fortifies the inability to rely on controlled, generic and localized clinical solutions to achieve overall health," she says.
International Health Insurance and TCM
As TCM breaks into mainstream healthcare, insurers are expanding their plans to cover these treatment and procedures. Vanessa Peng, from MSH China, one of the leading insurance providers in China, says that MSH has increased their coverage of TCM procedures to better serve their customers.
Expatmedicare provides the table below to give an example of TCM coverage provided by international health care insurers in China
Note: Above example is based on male 33 years old
"More and more of our clients are choosing TCM to find treatment or additional treatment for cancer, chronic disease and other diseases where there is no obvious solution from Western medicine," she said. "TCM treatment, including Chinese therapy, can help improve patients' immunity systems."
Insurers may be apprehensive to cover the full cost of TCM treatments because of lack of knowledge, but more insurers are allocating co-payment or sub-limits in order for customers to have a choice of treatments. Vanessa says that there is a definite trend for insurers to provide coverage for both TCM and Western-style treatments. While not all insurers cover costs associated with TCM treatment, it typically is not more expensive than Western medicine. "Sometimes it can even save a lot of money on unnecessary Western treatments."
The future of TCM
Despite the growing interest and acceptance of TCM, its share in the global medical market remains low. There are, however, efforts being made to promote TCM. In 2011, China will invest in TCM research and development (R&D) by improving the systems for inheritance and innovation. There are also plans for databases of ancient TCM publications to research TCM's basic theories and for general surveys of resources.
There are more and more TCM books being translated to English, and TCM doctors, like Dr. Zhang, are writing their own books for English-reading audiences. Schools in China are investing in TCM programs for non-Chinese speakers. And schools outside of China, like Cambridge University, are investing more in TCM initiatives. Due to its affordability, more insurers are integrating it into their plan.
As a consumer, one of the most important things to remember when trying TCM is to keep an open mind, be patient and be ready to do your part to help your body.
About Expatmedicare
Expatmedicare is a fully independent intermediary that specializes in advising expatriates on their international health insurance. They provide free health and medical insurance advice. Their comprehensive service ranges from helping clients review current coverage, determine requirements, to market research, evaluation, analysis and recommendation, application process and claim management.
