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Expatriates face new insurance restrictions

A bill to amend the nation’s National Health Insurance Act (全民健康保險法) would prevent Taiwanese expatriates or students living or studying overseas from benefiting from the country’s health insurance privileges, a Department of Health (DOH) official said yesterday.

The draft amendment rules that citizens whose household registration in Taiwan has become invalid because of their long-term absence must stay in the country for at least four consecutive months to reclaim their right to join the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, said Chu Tung-kuang (曲同光), the deputy convener of the DOH’s NHI planning task force.

Under existing regulations, Taiwanese citizens who live outside Taiwan for less than six months a year can continue to be insured under the healthcare system as long as they pay their insurance premiums.

Those who live outside the country for more than six months can have their insurance suspended to avoid paying premiums, but they are allowed to rejoin the NHI system as long as they pay the premium upon their return, even if it’s for a short stay, the Act states.

Chu said many overseas Taiwanese and students studying abroad rejoin the national insurance plan during temporary stays in Taiwan to seek low-cost medical treatment. This practice has led to public criticism, with some saying returning Taiwanese are unfairly depleting the country’s health insurance resources, Chu said.

Because of this, the DOH has decided to set a barrier to prevent the abuse of national health insurance resources, Chu said.

Bureau of National Health Insurance statistics show that medical treatment for Taiwanese expatriates costs the country more than NT$100 million (US$3 million) a year, while the total they pay in premiums amounts to between NT$60 million and NT$70 million a year.

The amendment bill has been delivered to the Legislative Yuan for approval, Chu said.
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