The variety of self-paid medical items is vast, with each hospital charging different fees. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) previously established a "Self-Paid Medical Equipment Price Comparison Website." Now, they plan to trial a "Self-Payment Medical Platform" by the end of the year. This platform will not only reveal the charges for self-paid medical equipment at various hospitals but will also disclose product specifications, usage instructions, clinical data, and more. It will assist businesses in quickly applying for self-payment prices from local health bureaus, with the platform expected to be operational by early next year.
In 2020, the NHIA created the "Self-Paid Medical Equipment Price Comparison Website" to address issues related to the chaotic pricing of self-paid medical items. However, a survey revealed that approximately 95% of the public has never used this price comparison website, and around 60% are unaware that local health bureaus regularly publish approved self-paid medical items in their jurisdictions.
I-Ming Parng, Deputy Director of the NHIA, stated that the current price comparison website allows users to search for out-of-pocket costs for medical equipment and the price differences among hospitals for the same item. However, it only provides a basic comparison function and simple descriptions of the equipment, which has been criticized for its poor search functionality. The upcoming "Self-Payment Medical Platform," which is based on the original price comparison website, aims to enhance search capabilities, include detailed product information, and present clinical data in an easily readable format for the public, helping them understand the necessity and effectiveness of the medical equipment.
Chung-Liang Shih, Director of the NHIA, pointed out that the review process by local health bureaus can be time-consuming. Furthermore, if the same medical equipment is used in hospitals across different counties or cities, separate applications must be made to each local health bureau. The platform will collaborate with local health bureaus to enable digital applications, allowing for simultaneous reviews across multiple jurisdictions.
Lin Ya-Hui, Executive Director of the Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation, emphasized that the government must strengthen its efforts to inform the public about platforms where they can query self-paid medical equipment. Additionally, since self-paid medical pricing can vary by location, although the platform will disclose prices for public reference, hospitals might also consider prices from other counties or cities, potentially leading to price inflation.
Resource (mandarin): 醫療自費平台 拚明年初上路
