Taiwan’s national health insurance system has officially bid farewell to the “suspension and resumption of insurance” policy starting on December 23, marking an end to the privilege enjoyed by celebrities who publicly declared their return to Taiwan to “enjoy the health insurance.” In the future, Taiwanese nationals living abroad who fall ill will no longer be able to return to Taiwan to use the health insurance system. The National Health Insurance Administration of the Republic of China announced that the cancellation of this policy from the 23rd onwards will affect an estimated 210,000 people who were previously covered under the suspended insurance provision.
The National Health Insurance Administration of the Republic of China released a statement on the 23rd, emphasizing that the national health insurance is a mandatory social insurance system based on the principles of social assistance and risk sharing. All eligible citizens are obligated to continuously maintain their insurance coverage and pay the required premiums, regardless of whether they seek medical treatment or utilize healthcare resources under the system. In line with this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare amended the detailed regulations of the National Health Insurance Act on the 23rd, abolishing the provisions regarding the suspension and resumption of insurance.
The previous “suspension and resumption of insurance” system under Taiwan’s health insurance scheme applied to Taiwanese nationals residing abroad. Individuals staying overseas for more than six months could suspend their insurance coverage, and upon returning to Taiwan, they could resume their coverage, which led to criticism of the system being exploited for free healthcare upon return.
The National Health Insurance Administration of Taiwan stated that in accordance with the revised regulations, as of the 23rd, applications for insurance suspension will no longer be accepted. All citizens with household registration are required to maintain continuous insurance coverage and pay their premiums. In cases of unforeseen emergencies or urgent medical needs abroad, individuals can seek medical treatment locally and apply for reimbursement of medical expenses paid out of pocket from the National Health Insurance Administration upon submission of documents.
Furthermore, in accordance with the principle of protection of reasonable expectations, for individuals who had already suspended their insurance coverage before the 22nd and stayed overseas for more than six months, the suspension would remain valid until they return to Taiwan and apply for resumption of coverage. If the duration of stay abroad was less than six months, the suspension would be nullified, and the individual would be required to pay the outstanding premiums for the period of insurance suspension.
The National Health Insurance Administration stressed that following the cancellation of the suspension and resumption policy, all eligible individuals should lawfully apply for insurance coverage and pay their premiums accordingly. After enrollment, the Administration will send monthly payment notices to the insured units for premium payment. For individuals enrolled through local offices (Category 6), payment notices will be sent to the insured person’s designated address, and payment must be made within the specified period.
Additionally, for Taiwanese nationals residing overseas, it is recommended to opt for “bank transfer payment” as a priority, enabling automatic deduction of insurance premiums from a savings account or credit card. Applicants can also request electronic payment notices, with the National Health Insurance Administration sending payment notifications to the designated email address, allowing individuals to pay insurance premiums conveniently using various methods such as credit cards, current accounts, or mobile payment options like ONEcard Money, Jkopay, and Taiwan Pay.
To help the public understand the changes in the suspension and resumption of insurance policy, the National Health Insurance Administration has made available a FAQ section, promotional materials, and simplified guides on their website under the “Important Policies/Suspension and Resumption of Insurance Changes” section for public reference. They will also send letters and emails to notify the insured units and individuals currently under insurance suspension to complete the necessary health insurance procedures as per the new regulations.
According to statistics from the National Health Insurance Administration of Taiwan, there are currently around 210,000 individuals with active insurance suspensions, including overseas compatriots, foreign workers, students studying abroad, government personnel stationed overseas, and deep-sea fishing vessel crew members. With the abolition of the suspension and resumption policy, the health insurance income is expected to increase by approximately NT$2.3 billion (approximately USD 74 million) annually.
The National Health Insurance Administration of Taiwan advises individuals residing overseas to prioritize bank transfer payment for insurance premiums or apply for electronic payment notices, offering a variety of payment methods for convenient premium settlements.