The MOHW revealed the results of next year’s NHI global budget negotiations. Fee payers and hospital representatives failed to reach an agreement on the allocation of resources to the primary care and hospital sectors. The negotiation meeting decided to submit both proposals to the MOHW for a final decision. However, some points of consensus were reached, such as strengthening care for the elderly and patients with chronic conditions, as well as accelerating the introduction of innovative health technologies. Additionally, the NHIA decided to include 7 cancers eligible for NHI-reimbursed single gene testing. This new reimbursement policy will benefit 9,000 patients annually. The NHIA will also expand reimbursement for maternal gestational diabetes care, benefiting around 21,000 women each year.

Ms Chou Shu-Wan, the Executive Secretary of the NHI Board, noted that the agreed budget growth rates are 4.679% for dentistry, 5.274% for Chinese medicine, and 3% for outpatient dialysis.

However, for the primary care and hospital sectors, fee payers suggest a growth rate of 4.605% (NT$920.75 billion), while hospital representatives propose 5.171% (NT$925.73 billion), a difference of nearly NT$5 billion. The negotiation meeting decided to submit both proposals to the MOHW. Nevertheless, both fee payers and hospital representatives agree on increasing the budget for new cancer drugs. Fee payers propose investing NT$3.23 billion in innovative technologies, while hospitals demand NT$4.69 billion.

In summary, the agreed budgets are NT$54.79 billion for dentistry, NT$34.19 billion for Chinese medicine, and NT$18.23 billion for the miscellaneous budget. Regarding the disputed amounts, fee payers propose NT$641 billion for hospitals and NT$172.5 billion for primary care, while hospital representatives propose NT$643.4 billion and NT$175 billion, respectively.

7 cancers eligible for NHI-reimbursed single gene testing

The NHIA also announced the approval of reimbursement for single gene testing for seven types of cancer. This new policy, starting on December 1st, will cost NT$100 million annually. The cancers eligible for testing include: BRAF for colorectal cancer, BRAF for melanoma, KIT and PDGFRA for gastrointestinal stromal tumors, BRAF for thyroid cancer without medullary cancer, in situ heterozygosity testing for multiple myeloma, BCL for B-cell lymphoma, in situ heterozygosity testing for chromosome 17 deletion and TP53, and TCR testing for T/NK cell blood cancer and lymphoma.

The NHI Joint Meeting also revised the full maternal care scheme by extending insulin use and blood glucose monitoring to three months postpartum. This extension will require a fund of NT$40 million.

【2024-09-28 / Liberty Times】