National Health Insurance Program

On July 17, 1999, a new law with regards to the National Health Insurance Program (NHI) was enacted. Under this law, all persons residing in Taiwan and holding an Alien Resident Certificate for more than four months, are required to join the NHI program immediately.

These persons must contribute regular monthly premiums and will then be eligible for all of the NHI covered benefits. The health insurance premium ratios borne by the government, employee and employer are set at 10%, 30%, and 60% respectively. (IE: NT$50,600 salary premium is $NT404/mth Government, NT$645/mth Employee, NT$2,426/mth Employer premium)

All foreigners who are entitled to join the National Health Insurance Program should submit their application within 3 days of eligibility, supported with a certificate of employment issued by their employer together and Alien Resident Certificate to one of six branches of the Bureau of National Health Insurance.

The Bureau of National Health Insurance will issue to every qualified individual, 6 years old and above, a National Health Insurance card. Each card has six blank spaces which will be stamped upon each visit to the doctor. The card must be traded in once all six blank spaces have been filled.

The NHI card, together with a ROC identification card or other valid documents, should be presented upon registering. Your NHI card will only be valid in legal and contracted hospitals and clinics of the National Health Insurance Program.

Foreign students with Residence Certificates and staying in Taiwan for more than 4 months can bring the Residence Certificate to the local village (township, municipal and district) administration offices for enrollment.

NHI cards expire at the end of each year and will no longer be valid.

The services offered by the program include:

1. Outpatient service
2. Inpatient service
3. Chinese medicine service
4. Dental service
5. Child delivery
6. Physical therapy
7. Home care
8. Hemodialysis
9. Emergency care
10. Psychiatric service
11. Preventive health service
    • Health assessment for children below the age of 6
    • Health assessment for adults 40 years old and above, once every three years
    • PAP smear examination for women 30 years old and above
    • Prenatal and postnatal care

All insured individuals joining the National Health Insurance Program will be required to co-pay prescription costs.

For further information or details regarding any of the stipulated regulations concerning the National Health Insurance Program, or opinions or suggestions, please contact NHI via the Internet at http://www.nhi.gov.tw/english/english-index.htm or by e-mail at mailto:%20nhi@mail.nhi.gov.tw

Alternatively, you may contact the BNHI or any of its branches directly. Their toll free number is: 080-212369 BNHI: 080-212-369 Taipei Branch: (02) 2191- 2006 Northern Branch: (03) 438 - 1805 Central Branch: (04) 2320-4295 Southern Branch: (06) 224 - 5678 ext. 1607 - 1611 Kao-ping Branch: (07) 321 - 6103 Eastern Branch: (03) 833 - 2088