Reported by Liu Chia-Yun and Lee Shu-Jen from Taipei
The Taiwan Medical Association (TMA) proposed changing the NHI co-payment charges from a flat fee basis to a fixed rate basis. It means that if patients go to medical centers for treatments without a referral, they will be liable for 35% of the treatment cost. This proposal was made by Dr Chiu Tai-Yuan, the President of TMA and a DPP legislator-at-large-seat. Dr Chiu hopes that the proposal could pass legislation in this session.
However, Dr Lee Po-Chang, the General Director of the NHIA, expressed that this proposal has not even been discussion by the MOHW yet. Dr Lee stressed that the public’s best interest is the top priority of the MOHW and the NHIA. As for how to strengthen the implementation of the graded healthcare system, the focus should be on the improvement of the primary care sector, rather than on a sudden hike in co-payment charges. One MOHW official pointed out that the co-payment charge basis is open for discussion; however, the government has a strong stance against increasing patient’s financial burden.
In its proposal, the TMA suggests that patients should be charged for co-payment on a fixed rate basis at 30% for medical centers, 20% for regional hospitals and 15% for district hospitals.
Article 43 of the NHI Act stipulates that the co-payment is charged on a fixed rate basis at 50% for medical centers, 40% for regional hospitals and 30% for district hospitals; however the competent authority has the right to impose a flat fee if deemed necessary.
Dr Chiu stated that under current co-payment system, the difference in the co-payment charge between medical centers and clinics is only NT$300-400. The fixed rate basis will widen the gap and help to implement the graded healthcare system.
However, Dr Lee Po-Chang pointed out that the NHIA increased the co-payment flat fee last year and aroused huge opposition. With a view to containing costs, the MOHW and the NHIA intend to continue promoting the cloud-based health record system and supporting the primary care sector. All policies should be made with the public best interests in mind, said Dr Lee.
【2018-03-27/United Daily 】
