The ROC Cabinet is expected to set a premium rate of 4.91 percent of an individual’s monthly salary for Taiwan’s second-generation National Health Insurance, according to the Department of Health Sept. 29.
A supplementary premium of 2 percent will be charged on income outside regular salaries, such as interest, professional fees, rent, stock dividends and bonuses, but with the exception of high bonuses, the lower limit for the charge has been raised from NT$2,000 (US$38) to NT$5,000.
The upward change was made to accommodate disadvantaged groups and in response to public appeals, Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta said.
The number of people to be affected by the supplementary payment will be reduced from 17 percent of the insured to 15 percent, he said, adding that members of low income households will be exempt.
The new premium rate, to be implemented Jan. 1, 2013, will keep the health insurance system financially balanced until 2016, with the help of an increase in the government’s contribution to the NHI budget from the current 33.6 percent to 36 percent, and provided that medical expenses grow by no more than 4.7 percent, the economy is stable and the NHI effectively controls resources, the DOH said.
The premium rate of 4.91 percent, however, will not allow for the NHI to maintain a one-month security reserve, while the current 5.17 percent premium does, said Huang San-quei, director-general of the Bureau of National Health Insurance.
Details on the collection of supplementary payments will be released after the Executive Yuan finalizes the 2G premium program this week, the DOH added. (THN)