The National Health Insurance Committee (NHIC) held an extraordinary meeting on Nov. 27 to discuss adjustments to the 2021 NHI premiums. Two proposals were submitted to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOWH), consisting of one calling for an increase to 4.97 percent and another targeting a rate between 5.47 percent and 5.52 percent. Minister Chen also revealed that there are four proposals to raise the NHI premiums and three contingency measures currently under consideration. Increasing copayments is a possible measure under discussion, but one that is likely to see the least support among the general public.
Department of Social Insurance Director Shang Tung-fu said other major measures include the inclusion of overseas income into the fee base, revising the regulations on the suspension and resumption of NHI coverage for those residing abroad and adjusting copayments. As these measures are likely to be controversial, the opinions of all stakeholder groups must be considered, Director Shang said. In addition, as some of these measures may require amendments to the law and/or the completion of certain administrative procedures, they may not be finalized by the end of the year. Even if the decisions on the measures are finalized by the end of the year, they may not be able to be implemented immediately on Jan. 1 2021 and must be implemented at a later date.
Teng Hsi-hua, a NHIC member under the experts and reputable public figures category, said revisions to regulations on beneficiaries who have continued to suspend and resume their coverage are meant to address contraventions of the law and to improve fairness, therefore, the change should not be a part of contingency measures to raising NHI premiums. Regarding the proposal to include beneficiaries’ overseas incomes to the fee base, Teng said that the change should not only apply to people residing overseas but also to local business proprietors and other high net worth individuals, which will depend on whether the Ministry of Finance’s auditing abilities and may also require amendments to the law.
Teng also bluntly called the proposal to raise copayments as “very unwise.” Teng said that while National Health Insurance (NHI) premiums are set to be increased, it is unjust if copayments are also increased at the same time. She said that raising copayments has only limited effects on suppressing wastage and the move will only add to the burden on severely ill patients. While there are many relief mechanisms for those who are not able to afford NHI premiums, there is little aid for those whose access to health care is shut off because they cannot afford to pay copayments, leading to widespread inequality. Teng said that the government should not raise NHI premiums and copayments at the same time.
[2020-11-26/Liberty Times Net]
