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BNHI to extend coverage for patients with hepatitis

A man collects medicine at a hospital in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: CNA

The Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) yesterday announced a new policy to extend the insurance plan’s coverage of medicines for patients suffering from hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

For hepatitis B patients, the period for which their medicines are covered by National Health Insurance will be extended from 18 months to 36 months. For hepatitis C patients, their free medicine period will be extended from six months to 14 months. The new policy will become effective from Sunday.

BNHI claims review and drug benefit unit manager Shih Ru-liang (施如亮) said that approximately 10,000 hepatitis B patients and another 5,000 hepatitis C patients will benefit from the new policy.

She said that a hepatitis B patient is estimated to be able to save NT$50,000 (US$1,540) a year on drug expenses.

Hepatitis C patients will be able to save approximately NT$140,000 a year.

Shih said that the budget for the new policy came from the previous adjustment of drug prices, effective on Oct. 1.

The bureau planned to spend some of the additional income from the drug price adjustment on drugs for hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients.

Shih said the next part of the plan would be to extend coverage to drugs for cancer patients, including those suffering from breast cancer, leukemia and bone cancer.
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