Home Hospitalization Claims Blocked; Shih Chung-liang Urges Insurers to Adjust Rules

(Central News Agency reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei 11th) Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang proposed a plan to expand home hospitalization to all cancer types, but current medical insurance policies that require hospitalization for claims pose an obstacle. He appealed to insurers today to change their mindset, noting that many cancer treatments can be completed on an outpatient basis, and called for a review of claim rules.

Many current medical insurance policies still require 'hospitalization' as a prerequisite for claims, failing to keep pace with new medical models. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated yesterday that the Ministry plans to promote 'home cancer treatment' starting in the second half of this year, applicable to all cancer patients. He also predicted that new types of insurance policies would be available by the end of this year.

Shih Chung-liang attended the 'Health Empowerment, Strengthening Original Power!' press conference today and spoke to the media afterward. He stated that the Ministry of Health and Welfare is discussing adjustments to related systems with the Financial Supervisory Commission and insurance companies, hoping that insurance benefits can keep up with changes in medical models, allowing patients to receive more convenient and appropriate care.

Shih pointed out that in recent years, cancer treatment, infectious disease treatment, and some surgeries have gradually shifted towards outpatient and home-based care. For example, cataract surgery, which previously required hospitalization, is now mostly performed as outpatient surgery. The original insurance policies already accounted for cataract risks, and insurers adjusted accordingly, demonstrating that the insurance system should evolve with the times.

'About 60 to 70 percent of people in Taiwan have purchased commercial insurance, but many older medical insurance policies require hospitalization for claims,' Shih said. He noted that globally, the trend is shifting towards outpatient or home-based care, but due to private insurance claim requirements, people still prefer hospitalization, increasing the burden on the healthcare system and hindering the adoption of new care models.

Shih urged insurers to adjust their thinking and review medical insurance claim rules. Many medical procedures and surgeries no longer require hospitalization, and medical costs are only half of those for inpatient care. 'If you don't pay now, everyone will go to the hospital, and insurers will end up paying more,' he said.

Regarding concerns about the risks of home chemotherapy, Shih stated that the plan will follow the home hospitalization model promoted in recent years, providing patients with more options under safe conditions. In the future, patients will still need to undergo their first one or two chemotherapy sessions in a hospital. After the medical team confirms no severe side effects, a transition to home treatment can be evaluated. Patients will also need to have a port-a-cath implanted to reduce the risk of drug extravasation.

Furthermore, home chemotherapy will be integrated with a 24-hour consultation center, remote monitoring systems, and portable infusion pumps, allowing the medical team to monitor the patient's condition in real-time. Shih emphasized that home chemotherapy is not a mandatory measure but an alternative treatment option for eligible patients, with the final decision based on the physician's professional assessment and the patient's wishes. (Editor: Zhang Yajing) 1150611