The negotiation meeting for the 2021 NHI Global Budget was held on the 24th. Members have reached consensus on the budgets for the dental sector, the Chinese medicine outpatient sector and miscellaneous expenses. However, there were disputes over the budgets for hospitals and primary care clinics between the fee payer and the healthcare providers. The fee payer suggested a growth rate of 3.779%, while the healthcare providers suggested a growth rate of 4.346%. Both proposals will be submitted to the MOHW for the final decision. Either way, it will be the lowest growth rate since 2016.
Chou Shu-Wan, the Executive Secretary of the NHI Board, expressed that though the NHIA and the healthcare providers failed to reach consensus on the global budget, both sides agreed on the drug fees for rare diseases and haemophilia, the payment-by-result scheme, the improved health access in remote areas, the support to the vulnerable groups and the spending of NT$3.562 billion on new health technologies, which include immunotherapies.
As for the drug fees for treating hepatitis C, Chou pointed out that next year’s budget will be reduced from NT$8.166 billion for 51000 patients to NT$6.57 billion for 48000 patients.
Hospital representatives hoped that the NHIA could increase the budget to support area and regional hospitals in providing in-patient service. In reply to this request, the NHIA said that the NHI has set a ring-fenced budget to encourage primary care clinics to refer patients to big hospitals; therefore, the NHIA will not set another budget for the same purpose.
Regarding the global budget for primary care clinics, Chou explained that both sides have reached consensus on the increase of care capacity, the increase of test items, patient referral, payment-by-result and the promotion of integrated care. Representatives of the clinics hoped the NHIA could set a budget for COVID 19-related services. The NHIA replied that expenses concerning notifiable diseases should be covered by the budget for public affairs. It is not within the scope of the NHI budget.
This year’s global budget is NT$756.2 billion. The fee payer suggested increasing the budget by NT$28.4 billion (up by 3.779%), while the healthcare providers suggested an increase of NT$ 32.7 billion (up by 4.346%). Either way, it will be the lowest since 2016.
【2020-09-25/ Liberty Times】
