Cathay Life to Launch Home-Based Acute Care Insurance Policy, Aims for Year-End Release
Cathay Financial Holding President Robert Lee announced at the June 12 shareholders' meeting that Cathay Life Insurance has designed a one-year home-based acute care insurance policy and will submit it for regulatory approval soon. The policy aligns with the Ministry of Health and Welfare's pilot program launched in July 2024, covering pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue infections. Lee emphasized the importance of protecting customer rights while preventing a repeat of the past epidemic insurance crisis.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 13:52
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 13:59 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 14:06 (7 min after Collected)
Cathay Financial Holding President Robert Lee stated today (June 12) that Cathay Life Insurance plans to pilot a one-year home-based acute care insurance policy. The policy has been designed and will be submitted for review as soon as possible, with hopes for a swift launch to meet public demand. Regarding the Ministry of Health and Welfare's call for the insurance industry to adjust claim rules, Lee said that while protecting customer rights is important, it is also crucial to avoid a repeat of the past epidemic insurance incident.
Market observers expect that a one-year home-based acute care insurance policy could be seen by the end of this year.
The National Health Insurance Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched a home-based acute care pilot program in July 2024. The program targets patients with infections—including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue infections—who are disabled and unable to leave home, with medical staff providing in-home services. As medical care shifts from hospitalization to outpatient services and even home-based care, this type of care is not covered by commercial insurance. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) have held meetings to assess the feasibility of developing new insurance products.
Cathay Financial Holding held its 115th annual shareholders' meeting today. Amid public attention on medical insurance claim issues, Lee said, "Cathay Life will soon apply to pilot the new policy. If the FSC's review process is swift, the policy should be launched quickly." Cathay Life has identified customer demand and is launching the new policy, hoping for a speedy market introduction.
The FSC explained yesterday (June 11) that the NHIA currently provides incidence data for home-based acute care only for pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue infections, and does not currently include home-based cancer chemotherapy.
Lee noted, "Since there have been no home-based insurance policies in the past, we hope to gradually accumulate experience, expand the breadth and depth of coverage, while ensuring customer rights."
Cathay Life President Lin Chao-ting explained after the meeting that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has a related home-based acute care pilot program. The company will first pilot a one-year policy to gain experience, and may adjust the pilot scope next year, with policy terms also being revised accordingly. Cathay Life will soon submit a pilot application. The policy can be purchased as a standalone one-year home-based acute care insurance policy.
Lin explained, "The NHIA has already provided relevant data. The new policy is planned to go through the pilot process, and premium rates will be reviewed after the pilot concludes. Cathay Life should be the first in the industry to submit such a policy."
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang yesterday called on the insurance industry to adjust its thinking and review medical insurance claim rules, noting that many medical treatments and surgeries no longer require hospitalization, and medical costs are only half of those for inpatient care.
In response, Lee said, "The past epidemic insurance incident was a painful experience. When the government unilaterally changed insurance contracts, reinsurance companies refused to pay. Insurance contracts are long-term agreements. To respect the spirit of the contract while adapting to medical advancements, we need collective wisdom from all sides. Protecting customer rights is important, but preventing a repeat of the epidemic insurance incident is also crucial. We must consider how to balance the interests of all parties while ensuring the stable development of the industry."
Regarding whether the current accommodation mechanism for outpatient surgeries could be expanded, Lin noted, "This involves many policy terms. Currently, all companies have similar accommodation mechanisms, but basically, each case is assessed individually." (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) June 12, 2026
Market observers expect that a one-year home-based acute care insurance policy could be seen by the end of this year.
The National Health Insurance Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched a home-based acute care pilot program in July 2024. The program targets patients with infections—including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue infections—who are disabled and unable to leave home, with medical staff providing in-home services. As medical care shifts from hospitalization to outpatient services and even home-based care, this type of care is not covered by commercial insurance. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) have held meetings to assess the feasibility of developing new insurance products.
Cathay Financial Holding held its 115th annual shareholders' meeting today. Amid public attention on medical insurance claim issues, Lee said, "Cathay Life will soon apply to pilot the new policy. If the FSC's review process is swift, the policy should be launched quickly." Cathay Life has identified customer demand and is launching the new policy, hoping for a speedy market introduction.
The FSC explained yesterday (June 11) that the NHIA currently provides incidence data for home-based acute care only for pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue infections, and does not currently include home-based cancer chemotherapy.
Lee noted, "Since there have been no home-based insurance policies in the past, we hope to gradually accumulate experience, expand the breadth and depth of coverage, while ensuring customer rights."
Cathay Life President Lin Chao-ting explained after the meeting that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has a related home-based acute care pilot program. The company will first pilot a one-year policy to gain experience, and may adjust the pilot scope next year, with policy terms also being revised accordingly. Cathay Life will soon submit a pilot application. The policy can be purchased as a standalone one-year home-based acute care insurance policy.
Lin explained, "The NHIA has already provided relevant data. The new policy is planned to go through the pilot process, and premium rates will be reviewed after the pilot concludes. Cathay Life should be the first in the industry to submit such a policy."
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang yesterday called on the insurance industry to adjust its thinking and review medical insurance claim rules, noting that many medical treatments and surgeries no longer require hospitalization, and medical costs are only half of those for inpatient care.
In response, Lee said, "The past epidemic insurance incident was a painful experience. When the government unilaterally changed insurance contracts, reinsurance companies refused to pay. Insurance contracts are long-term agreements. To respect the spirit of the contract while adapting to medical advancements, we need collective wisdom from all sides. Protecting customer rights is important, but preventing a repeat of the epidemic insurance incident is also crucial. We must consider how to balance the interests of all parties while ensuring the stable development of the industry."
Regarding whether the current accommodation mechanism for outpatient surgeries could be expanded, Lin noted, "This involves many policy terms. Currently, all companies have similar accommodation mechanisms, but basically, each case is assessed individually." (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) June 12, 2026
FAQ
What is home-based acute care insurance?
It is an insurance policy for patients receiving acute medical care at home, corresponding to Taiwan's MOHW home-based care pilot program.
Who is eligible for this insurance?
Disabled patients with pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or soft tissue infections who have difficulty leaving home.
How will the premium be determined?
A pilot period will be conducted first, and premium rates will be reviewed based on the results.