Page 121 - 2022 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

NHIA has set up a "Medical Materials Price Comparison Website" which allows the general public to compare the prices for out-of- pocket or balance billing items charged by each hospital. The function/material classification and description of balance billing items can be found on the website, which provides reference for the public while seeking medical attention.
The "Patient Opinion Sharing Platform" was expanded to allow general public review of new drugs under consideration for NHI coverage. Patients/patient groups/caregivers can make suggestions or provide their experiences of care and treatment outcomes. From October 1, 2021, new function of sharing drugs opinion by NHI coverage was launched.
▏Section 6 Caring for the Disadvantaged and
Safeguarding Remote Areas
1. Subsidies for the Economically Disadvantaged
(1) Besides subsidizing premiums for specific underprivileged groups, there are other assistance measures as shown in Table 8-1.
(2) Since June 2016, NHI has implemented "Decoupling of the Payment of Premiums from the Right to Receive Medical Care," (NHI card unlocking) after which people can seek medical treatment as long as they apply for insurance.
(3) Using Feedback Fund of Public Welfare Lottery to Reduce the Financial Burden of Health Care for the Disadvantaged: Assistance provided in 2021 included subsidies of NHI premium arrears and fees associated with treatment. Assistance was provided 61,000 cases of people, with approximately NTD 251 million in total.
2. Caring for People in Remote, Mountainous and Medically Underserved Areas
(1) Program for Improving Health Care in Remote Regions via Integrated Delivery Systems: As of 2021, 50 mountainous and offshore island areas were included in the project, and the people in these regions are exempted from copayments. 26 NHI contracted institutions are involved serving more than 480,000 people. Overall, local people showed 94% satisfaction rate for this project.
(2) Plan for Promoting Healthcare Treatment in Medically Underserved Areas: the program encourages district hospitals in underserved areas or nearby regional hospitals to provide 24-hour emergency care, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology and pediatric outpatient/ inpatient care. The maximum subsidy for each hospital amounts to NTD 15 million, and the maximum annual subsidy for hospitals that have no 24-hour emergency service but can provide other services is NTD 1 million per year for each service they provide.
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Table 8-1 2021 NHI Premium Subsidies for the Disadvantaged
Item
Beneficiaries
Total Assisted
Total Contribution
Premium Subsidies
Low-income households, middle-lower-income households, unemployed veterans, unemployed laborers and their families, disabled persons, unemployed indigenous peoples below age 20 or above age 55
3.633 million persons
NTD 31.62 billion
Relief Fund Loans
People qualified "economic hardships"
1,747 cases
NTD 151 million
Payment by Installment
People unable to fulfill their payment obligations at once
70,000 cases
NTD 2.339 billion
Charity Donation Referrals
People unable to pay their premiums
4,391 cases
NTD 26.83 million
Source : National Health Insurance Administration, MOHW (NHIA)
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National Health Insurance and National Pension