MOHW to stave off NHI premiums hike as reserves reach 2.45 months

Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Deputy Minister Lu Jen-der during an online interview on Mar. 12 said that the National Health Insurance reserve fund is currently standing at level equivalent to 2.45 months of expenditures, making increases to NHI premiums unnecessary.

In response to growing NHI expenditures driven by advancements in new drugs, Deputy Minister Lu emphasized the importance of conserving spending and widening revenue flows. He said that to do so, the government has increased central government budget allocations and reforming supplementary premiums, as well as canceling the option to suspend and resume NHI subscription which alone has already saved NT$2.67 billion in lost premium payments.

On reimbursing new cancer drugs, Deputy Minister Lu said that the National Health Insurance Administration has allocated NT$ 5.1 billion in funding, with the Cabinet providing an additional NT$ 5 billion, bringing total funding for new cancer drugs to NT$ 10.1 billion.

[2025-3-13/Commercial Times]