The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on Jan. 9 announced that the 2023 National Health Insurance (NHI) global budget will rise 3.323 percent annually to NT$836.4 billion. National Health Insurance Committee Executive Secretary Chou Shu-wan said that among other highlights, the 2023 NHI global budget allocates NT$4.56 billion, towards adding more new health care technology items on the NHI fee schedule, which is NT$240 million higher compared to the previous year. The expanded budget applies to both hospitals and Western medicine clinics. Separately, NT$1.14 billion has also been earmarked to enhance care for patients with rare diseases and disorders or hemophilia.

Executive Secretary Chou also mentioned that there will be several new programs beginning 2023, including those to improve tracking, diagnosis, and early treatment for people with positive cancer test results, as well those aimed at improving the quality of care for patients with tuberculosis and AIDS.

Apart from the treatment of diseases, the National Health Insurance Administration in 2023 has doubled the budget for the care of people at risk for metabolic syndrome, from NT$308 million to NT$616 million, to help them make dietary and lifestyle changes and prevent the onset of more serious diseases.

In addition, the MOHW’s Department of Nursing and Health Care and the National Health Insurance Administration also raised the funding for integrated inpatient care from NT$300 million to NT$560 million to help ease the burden of hiring inpatient nursing care.

[2023-1-9/Liberty Times]