It is expected that the 5G rollout plan will push ahead the development of remote healthcare in Taiwan.  The NHIA announced to provide NHI-reimbursed remote healthcare from this year.  Initially, it is only available in 50 remote areas and applicable to the outpatient services of ophthalmology, dermatology and otolaryngology, as well as all A&E services.  Doctors will receive 500-2340 service points for each patient visit. The NHI set a budget of NT$100 million for remote healthcare; and about 200,000 patients will benefit from this service.

There are inequalities in the geographic distribution of health resources in Taiwan.  For example, there is on average one doctor for every 266 patients in Taipei City; but in Taitung County, one doctor has to serve 729 patients, not to mention that there is just one regional hospital in Taitung County.

In 2018, the MOHW passed the “Rules of Medical Diagnosis and Treatment by Telecommunications”, aiming to improve the health monitoring of patients in remote areas after receiving in-patient treatments for acute conditions, as well as of patients in care homes who have chronic conditions, patients who require home care and foreign patients who are receiving treatments in Taiwan.

Through the remote healthcare system, local clinics could work together with doctors in big hospitals.  The doctors in local clinics will see the patient in person and issue prescriptions with the support and advices from participating regional hospitals provided via telecommunications.

So far, the NHI-reimbursed remote healthcare is only available in three medical departments (ophthalmology, dermatology and otolaryngology).  Doctors will receive about 500 service points for each patient visit, or 5000 service points for a whole outpatient clinic session.  These arrangements are subject to review.  The reimbursement is initially given to the medical departments of ophthalmology, dermatology and otolaryngology because of their frequent use of images as a diagnosis aid.  For remote A&E services, there is no restriction on medical departments.

The NHIA hopes that at least one healthcare provider from each of the 50 eligible areas will participate in this program to improve local patients’ access to healthcare.  The NHI has set a budget of NT$100 million and will allocate more fund if needed.

【2021-01-11/ Liberty Times】