Premier Sean Chen reiterated today that the second-generation National Health Insurance (NHI) will become effective as scheduled on January 1, 2013. He asked that the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) step up their efforts to publicize the program, support the private sector in finishing its preparations and ensure that the new system operates smoothly.
Chen made the remarks after being briefed by the DOH on the preparations for second-generation NHI. The DOH indicated in its report that the relevant regulations have been successfully amended, but some regulations are still pending review by the National Health Insurance Committee that is yet to be established. To ensure "seamless" implementation, Premier Chen instructed the DOH to release the committee's review results as soon as possible.
The premier is especially concerned about whether premium withholders, who are people required to withhold NHI premiums from payments they make to taxpayers, are ready for the new system. He enjoined the DOH to offer administrative assistance to them in the initial stage after the January 1 launch.
Premier Chen pointed out that since the second-generation NHI is extensive and complex, helping agencies and citizens familiarize themselves with it is very important. He asked the DOH to maximize its limited resources to raise public awareness.
"The second-generation NHI has been a demanding project, but while the work may be thankless, we must pull out all the stops to do the best job possible," Chen said. He called on all other agencies to assist the DOH in achieving its goals.
The premier also directed the DOH to formulate specific reform measures to reduce the abuse of medical resources in the current system, which has drawn public concern.
Based on the Executive Yuan's directives on major issues and its own report, the DOH has formulated the following policies to actively care for the disadvantaged and streamline procedures under the principles of fiscal balance and fairness:
1. The starting point for supplementary premium charges will be raised to NT$5,000 (US$172).
2. Supplementary premium charges will be levied on all stock dividends.
3. To lower the administrative cost of premium withholders, interest not exceeding NT$20,000 (US$687) from a single deposit shall be collected by the BNHI.
4. To reduce the premium burden on disadvantaged groups, anyone belonging to one of seven categories shall be exempt from premium deductions if their income is derived from a single part-time job and does not exceed the basic wage (NT$18,780 (US$645) per month). These categories are:
- Children and teenagers
- Mid- to low-income households
- Mid- to low-income elderly
- Disabled people receiving living allowances
- Disabled people whose labor insurance and insured salaries are less than the national minimum wage as promulgated by the central labor competent agency (i.e. the Council of Labor Affairs)
- College and university students without full-time jobs
- People with financial difficulty as defined by Article 100 of the NHI Act