The National Health Insurance (NHI) global budget for this year has been finalized, exceeding earlier proposals and reaching the upper limit approved by the Executive Yuan. According to Chen Chen-hui, Acting Director of the Department of Social Insurance at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the approved budget stands at NT$928.6 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 5.5%. This marks an increase of NT$48.4 billion from last year and represents the highest growth amount in the program’s history. For the second consecutive year, the approved budget's growth rate has surpassed the medical sector’s original proposal during negotiations, nearly reaching the maximum allowable growth rate.
For 2025, the Executive Yuan’s approved growth projections for the NHI global budget range from a high of 5.5% to a low of 3.52%. During last year’s negotiations, two proposals were submitted for consideration by the Minister of Health and Welfare: one from payor representatives with a 4.604% growth rate and another from medical representatives with a 5.171% growth rate.
Chen stated that the 2024 budget accounts for the aging population, advancements in medical technology, ensuring adequate healthcare service capacity, and strengthening holistic medical care. After considering suggestions from both the medical sector and payors, as well as overall policy objectives, the approved budget was set at NT$928.6 billion with a 5.5% growth rate. By the end of this year, the safety reserve is estimated to exceed the statutory minimum of one month’s insurance payouts, negating the need for premium adjustments. Additionally, approximately NT$11.1 billion worth of public health and health promotion expenses have been reallocated to the government’s general budget.
Budget Allocations by Sector:
Dental Services: Growth rate of 4.679%, allocated NT$54.79 billion.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Growth rate of 5.274%, allocated NT$34.19 billion.
Dialysis Services: Growth rate of 3%, allocated NT$47.37 billion, with NT$24.69 billion allocated to hospitals and NT$22.69 billion to primary care facilities.
Hospitals: Growth rate of 5.5%, allocated NT$643.71 billion.
Primary Care (Western Medicine): Growth rate of 5.5%, allocated NT$175.04 billion.
Other Budgets: NT$20.88 billion, including an additional NT$1.56 billion for new initiatives.
Key Focus Areas for Hospitals and Primary Care Budgets:
Medication Access and New Drug Integration: NT$8.10 billion allocated for “new medical technology,” “revisions to drug and special material reimbursement policies,” and “temporary payments.”
Rare Diseases and Hemophilia: NT$18.02 billion allocated for “medications and special materials for rare diseases and hemophilia patients.”
Healthcare in Underserved Areas: NT$3.91 billion allocated for programs such as “hospital support for improving healthcare in underserved areas,” “enhancing primary care in underserved regions,” and “boosting healthcare in mountain and island regions.”
Mental Health Care: NT$3.10 billion allocated for “long-acting injectable psychiatric medications.”
Home-Based Medical Care: NT$9.37 billion allocated for expanding home-based acute care, including “pilot programs for home-based care, community rehabilitation for mental illnesses, maternity care, and transitional services to long-term care.”
This historic budget not only addresses current healthcare demands but also lays a strong foundation for future advancements, ensuring better healthcare for all Taiwanese citizens.
Resource: 歷年最高！今年健保總額拍板9286億元 成長率達上限5.5%
