The National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement scheme is facing two structural reforms, among them are the inclusion of non-clinical institutions such as those engaged in public health and preventative care, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung said during a meeting with the legislature’s health committee.

Citing media reports, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Su Chiao-hui questioned whether the government is considering to expand NHI reimbursement to include non-clinical institutions such as long-term care facilities and nursing homes, and even public health and preventative care.

Minister Chen confirmed the media reports, saying that the government is progressing towards the direction, noting that in the past, NHI was limited primarily to hospitals and clinics for the convenience of management, however, that has hampered access for some patients.

“NHI resources are meant to help people,” Minister Chen said, adding that patients should receive the care they need regardless of where the services are provided.

Minister Chen said that apart from providing medical treatment, the system also aims to maintain the health of the public. Therefore, it is vital that the NHI is integrated with both public health and long-term care systems.

Department of Social Insurance Director General Shang Tung-fu said that together with the National Health Research Institutes, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has long conducted research into potential reform, adding that the health minister last year has proposed the recently discussed ideas, in hopes of preventing situations in which patients at hospice and palliative care facilities are forced to transfer to hospital for reimbursement.

National Health Insurance Administration Director General Lee Po-chang said that a patient-centric approach to health care is not a bad thing and that he will continue to discuss the matter with Department of Social Insurance.

On the timeframe of the reforms, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung said that it is not likely that consensus on the matter can be formed quickly and that no significant progress is expected during the first half of this year, the exception is that several bills aiming to improve the fairness of the NHI will be submitted for the legislature’s review.

[2021-3-25/CNA]