Adjustments to the National Health Insurance (NHI) copayments, which were originally set to take effect May 15, have been postponed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on May 12 in consideration of the economic impacts on the public due to the pandemic. In a letter to MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung on July 11, Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals & Clinic Association (TNHCA) said that as the pandemic has since abated, the copayment adjustments must resume pace and be implemented on Aug. 1 to ensure the sustainability of the NHI.

TNHCA Executive Director and Shinkong Wu Ho-su Memorial Hospital Vice Superintendent Hung Tzu-jen said that finite NHI resources are under strain from rising health care demand, and that Premier Su Tseng-chang has also sounded support to raise copayments. If copayments are not raised this year, the NHI safety reserve will dip below the legally required threshold equivalent to one month’s expenditures and trigger an increase in NHI premiums.

Taiwan Alliance of Patients’ Organization Chairman Wu Hong-lai said that while it is regrettable that the copayment adjustments have yet to be implemented this year, there are still opposition among some stakeholder groups. After all, the move will affect the public and that the interests of disadvantaged groups must be considered.

National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director General Lee Po-chang said that the timetable to implement the copayment adjustments is not up to him, and that he does not have a specific stance on the matter. Director General Lee said that in the meantime the NHIA will continue measures to ensure the sustainability of the NHI, including the prevention of redundant drug prescriptions and diagnostic tests, adding that copayment adjustments play a vital part in ensuring the public’s access to health care.

[2022-7-13/United Daily News]