Page 75 - 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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NHI expenditures goes for the purchase of drugs needed to treat catastrophic illnesses, and this amount is nearly 30% of the NHI system’s total medication expenditures. The high level of spending on the treatment of catastrophic illnesses reveals the tremendous assistance that the NHI system provides to these individuals.
People with rare diseases
Individuals with rare diseases classified as catastrophic illnesses are exempt from copayments when being treated for their condition. The Ministry of Health and Welfare currently recognizes 220 types of rare diseases, and had issued 9,972 rare disease verification cards as of the end of June 2018. Drug expenditures for the treatment of rare diseases totalled approximately NT$5.3 billion in 2017.
People with multiple chronic conditions
Patients with multiple chronic conditions consume the largest share of resources in Taiwan’s healthcare system. With the aging of Taiwan’s population, the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions has been increasing steadily, and the
care of these individuals is becoming an important issue. To ensure that such patients obtain integrated care services, and avoid redundant or inappropriate medications, examinations and treatment, the NHIA initiated the “Hospital Integrated Care Program” on December 1, 2009. Patients participating in this program have lower copayments and registration fees, reduced visit and transportation time, and increased care safety and quality.
This plan has been implemented for many years. Each year, the average medical visits of cases accepted decreased compared to the same period in the previous year, indicating positive effectiveness. Each year, about 180 hospitals take part in this program providing integrated care services, and targets receiving integrated care exceed 500,000 people.
Providing Care in Remote Areas Lacking Medical Resources
According Article 60 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act, where a beneficiary receives outpatient care service, emergency care services or home-care service in a resource depletion area, the self-bearing amount may be reduced by 20%. In addition, the NHIA has also implemented the following plans in order to enhance medical services in remote areas or areas deficient of medical resources.
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