Page 110 - 2023 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

08 2023 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report 08

ward charges related to intensive care beds in regional NHIA has set up a "Price Comparison Platform
hospitals and medical center, and increase the payment of Self-Paid Medical Devices" which allows the general
points for nursing care on the first day of hospitalization public to compare the out-of-pocket differences and
by 30%, thereby enhancing the quality of inpatient care. prices of self-pay items for medical devices across
In the Western Medicine Primary Care Global different healthcare facilities. Through the utilization
Budget sector, the pharmaceutical service fees and of open data, mobile applications (APP), and LINE@
specialist physician surcharge rate for outpatient interface, individuals can easily access and reference
diagnostic fees has been increased since March information regarding various item categories, materials,
2021. Starting from May 2017, a total of 70 medical and explanations related to out-of-pocket differences.
procedures, including examinations and obstetric and This initiative aims to provide convenience for the public
gynecological surgeries, have been gradually made when making informed decisions.
available at the primary care level. The "Patient Opinion Sharing Platform" was
Differences over professional review opinions led to expanded to allow general public review of new drugs/
members of the public calling for the NHIA to reveal the medical materials under consideration for NHI coverage.
names of reviewers for the sake of accountability. The For implementing procedural justice, patients/patient
NHIA thus launched the "Named Professional Double groups/caregivers can make suggestions or provide
Review" pilot project in 2016 in the Hospital Global their experiences, including treatment outcomes,
Budget sector. The "Professional Double Review" means improvements in quality of life, and achieved expected
two physicians are assigned to review specific cases, effects. From October 1, 2021, the platform was added
while the "Named Review" is divided into the "Named the functionality to share opinions on the expanded
Reviewer for Individual Deduction Cases" and "Named coverage of medication reimbursement.
Group" categories.
Section 6 Caring for the Disadvantaged and
New oral drugs for treating Hepatitis C (Direct Acting
Safeguarding Remote Areas
Antiviral Agents, DAA) with improved cure rate, reduced
side effects, and a shorter course of treatment began 1. Subsidies for the Economically Disadvantaged
to launch as of 2015. For more HCV patients to receive (1) Besides subsidizing premiums for specific
treatments with these new drugs as early as possible, underprivileged groups, there are other assistance
they were added to the NHI coverage since January measures as shown in Table 8-1.
2017, and all department physicians are authorized to
(2) Since June 2016, NHI has implemented
prescribe direct acting anti-hepatitis C viral agents from
"Decoupling of the Payment of Premiums from
October, 2021. The NHIA has earmarked a budget up to
the Right to Receive Medical Care," (NHI card
NTD 35.851 billion for funding these Anti HCV drugs to
unlocking) after which people can seek medical
benefit over 148,000 patients from 2017 to 2022. HCV
treatment as long as they apply for insurance.
RNA testing at 12 weeks after the completion of the
(3) Using Feedback Fund of Public Welfare Lottery
treatment course found that the treatment was successful
to Reduce the Financial Burden of Health Care
on 98.4% of the cases, with no detectable viral count.
for the Disadvantaged: Assistance provided in
Section 5 Disclosure of Information to 2022 included subsidies of NHI premium arrears
Improve Quality and fees associated with treatment. Assistance
Information on NHI services such as the quality of was provided 63,000 cases of people, with
care at contracted medical service providers, the financial approximately NTD 217 million in total.
reports, the number of inpatient and outpatient claims and 2. Caring for People in Mountainous, Remote and
payment point values, nurse-to-patient ratio etc. are all Medically Underserved Areas
published on the NHIA official website. Such information (1) The Integrated Delivery System (IDS) implemented
allows the general public and interested parties to by the NHIA in mountain areas and on offshore
understand the operating efficiency of medical institutions. islands: As of 2022, there are 50 townships
The exposure of serious violations is also to push for currently officially recognized as being in
improvements in care quality by medical service providers. mountainous and offshore island areas. At present,

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