Adjustments to National Health Insurance (NHI) copayment, which were originally set to be implemented on May 15, have since been postponed in consideration of the impacts of the pandemic to ease the burden on the public, according to a May 12 notice by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).

Regarding the postponement of the copayment adjustments, MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung on July 5 said that there is no clear timetable on whether the adjustments will be implemented. The medical community said that there are many variables affecting whether the copayment adjustments will be implemented this year, including the ongoing pandemic and rising inflation, as well as a hike in electricity prices taking effect on July 1, and the upcoming local elections.

A source knowledgeable of NHI policies said that if copayment adjustments are not implemented this year, the NHI safety reserve will fall below the legally required level equivalent to one month’s of NHI expenditures, thereby adding pressure to raise NHI premiums in 2023.

According to National Health Insurance Administration’s plans, the copayment adjustments will result in higher charges on emergency room visits, drug prescriptions and drug prescriptions for chronic conditions, as well as diagnostic exams. If implemented, the adjusted copayments will bring in an estimated NT$9.99 billion in additional revenue and ensure that the NHI safety reserve is maintained at 1.32 months of expenditures. The copayment increase will affect nearly 20 million people, among them, 375,000 will need to pay an additional NT$3,000 in NHI premiums, with 65 percent of beneficiaries expected to shoulder additional payments of less than NT$200.

[2022-7-5/United Daily News]