Is it feasible to change the NHI co-payment for drugs and tests from the “flat price system” to the “flat rate system”? Wu Hong-Lai, the President of Taiwan Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, pointed out that the co-payment system is intended to sustain the NHI, therefore, it should be implemented gradually.  She also stressed that there must be corresponding measures for the financially vulnerable group. 

Chen Gau-tzu, the Chairperson of the NHI Drug Dispensing Items and Fee Schedule Joint Establishment Meeting, said that the NHIA originally planned to start the co-payment system reform (so called “user fee system”) after August, but this move was delayed because of the pandemic.  Chen stressed the urgency of the reform of the co-payment system for the benefits of the patients, the hospitals and the NHI system.

According to Shang Tong-Fu, the Director of the Department of Social Insurance of the MOHW, co-payment is not intended to increase the NHI income, but rather it aims to prevent the misuse of the NHI services.  The NHI Global Budget for 2022 will reach NT$800 billion, and some of the funds will come from the co-payments.   The government should assess the impact of the adjustment of the co-payment to ensure that patients will not be put into poverty because of illness.

Wu Hong-Lai stressed that the authority should not consider the co-payment the only measure to solve the NHI financial problems as there is “moral hazard”.    The adjustment of the co-payment will surely increase patients’ financial burden especially for those who are already in financial difficulties.  If the cost becomes an obstacle to healthcare services, it will generate other social costs.

Wu supports the co-payment reform but suggests that it should be carried out gradually with special considerations for the vulnerable groups.

【2021-09-14 / United Daily 】