Page 71 - 2018-19全民健康保險年報

照顧弱勢 守護偏鄉
Caring for the Needy and Safeguarding Remote Areas
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In 2017, 6,799 cases were successfully referred to charitable sources of assistance, and a total of more than NT$23.7 million in subsidies were provided. In 2018, 3,160 cases were successfully referred and received over NT$16.14 million in subsidies during the first six months of the year.
Protecting the Right to Care of the Economically Disadvantaged
In order to realize the universal right to equal medical care and fulfill President Tsai, Ing-wen’s campaign promise that all insured can use their NHI card to receive medical care, and the policy of locking the cards of persons who cannot afford their premiums would be abandoned, the NHIA instituted the “decoupling of the payment of premiums from the right to receive medical care” effective on June 7, 2016 to unlock all inaccessible cards, and guarantee all citizens enrolled in the NHI their rights to enjoy medical care. The full-scale unlocking of health insurance cards symbolizes a new level of protection of the human right to receive medical care. Furthermore, cards will no longer be locked for failure to pay premiums. By revoking the practice of card locking, the NHIA has removed the fear felt by the disadvantaged that they will not be able to receive care when they need it. The move embodies the government’s goal of protecting of the weakest in society and safeguarding the people’s right to healthcare.
The various protective measures for people suffering from economic hardships provided by the NHI form a comprehensive umbrella to safeguard the health of those disadvantaged. By eliminating economic obstacles to people participating in the NHI through assistance with the enrollment of insurance, premium relief loans, referrals to assistance, and installment payment plans, the
NHIA has ensured that people suffering difficult economic circumstances can still enjoy adequate medical care at any time.
Obtaining Lottery Funds to Assist Disadvantaged Groups
In order to provide care to disadvantaged groups, in addition to installment plans, relief loans, and referrals to assistance, the NHIA has also used lottery funds since 2008 to implement the “Program to Ease the Medical Care Burden of Disadvantaged Persons.” Under this program, the NHIA actively selects and notifies people who are eligible for this program, and helps them to pay overdue health insurance premiums. As of the end of June 2018, the cumulative subsidies provided to this program totaled NT$3.85 billion, and a cumulative total of 219,710 persons had benefited from it (Table 6-2).
Easing the Financial Burden of Copayments
Persons certified as having disabilities pay a basic clinic copayment of NT$50 for outpatient care, regardless of where they receive care; this amount is lower than the copayments paid by the general public (NT$80-NT$420).
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