In order to create an integrated platform for health self-care, the NHIA launched the web-based “NHI Health Passbook” in 2014 and followed up with an APP in 2015.  When Dr Lee Po-Chang took charge of the NHIA 6 years ago, the “NHI Health Passbook” only had 330,000 users.  Dr Lee led the NHIA team to improve the access to this service by making it more user-friendly.   As of June 2022, the NHI APP, which renamed “NHI Mobile Easy Pass – My Health Passbook”, has been downloaded more than 19 million times.

Dr Lee expressed that since he took office, the functions of the NHI Health Passbook have expanded significantly.  The NHIA has overcome the technical bottleneck and has successfully integrated the mobile phone identification systems of the 5 major telecommunication companies.   Now, users can even use the APP to access the data of their dependents.  At the beginning of the COVID 19 outbreak in 2020, the APP’s real-name system helped facilitate the face mask pre-order system.  As a result, the number of users quickly reached 5 million in September 2020. 

The NHI Health Passbook became an effective tool for combating the pandemic.  It records not only the purchases of face masks and lateral flow test kits on a real-name basis, but also the test results and the vaccination information.  Users can quickly access their PCR test results, link to the CDC’s self-report system and apply for a digital test certificate via the APP.

In addition to the fight against COVID 19, the APP allows its users to monitor their medical records of treatments, tests and medications, including the information on their dependents.   Users can access the data up to the past 3 years, including the number of hospital visits, the use of NHI points, the co-payment fees, the exposure to medical radiation, etc.   Filtered search is also available to help users better understand their health conditions.

In 2019, the NHIA developed the software development kit for the NHI Health Passbook APP in order to further expand its applications.  For example, with the user’s consent, hospitals can link their own APPs to the NHI Health Passbook APP to access the user’s treatment records, medication data, test results, etc.  So far, there are 59 APPs available on the market.

Dr Lee stressed that the NHI services are undergoing the digital transformation.  For example, the NHIA has increased the services via its LINE account, a popular mobile messenger APP in Taiwan.  The NHIA will continue to improve the services by employing appropriate technology to help the public better manage their health.

【2022-06-29 / United Daily】