MOHW Promotes Home Chemotherapy; Life Insurers Association: Commercial Health Insurance Difficult to Assess Currently

(CNA reporter Su Ssu-yun, Taipei, July 1) The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is recently planning a home chemotherapy policy, drawing public attention. The Life Insurers Association stated today that the applicability of commercial health insurance can only be assessed after the home chemotherapy policy planning becomes clear, and it is currently difficult to assess. According to current practical operations for home chemotherapy, as the initiation and completion are conducted in outpatient clinics, claims will be processed according to the policy if the individual has outpatient coverage.

Home healthcare is becoming a trend, with even chemotherapy being completed in the familiar environment of home. Chen Liang-yu, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) of the MOHW, mentioned yesterday that the first phase is planned to include cancers such as stomach cancer and head and neck cancer. The current expert consensus is to use the chemotherapy drug 5-FU, commonly known as "baby bottle," with the earliest launch planned for the end of the year.

The Life Insurers Association issued a press release today regarding the MOHW's plan to draw on international experience and promote home cancer treatment. It is understood that many physicians and medical professionals have reminded that home chemotherapy involves patients with poor self-care abilities and high risks in handling chemotherapy drugs, such as drug leakage and tube dislodgement. Corresponding emergency transfer and home medical waste disposal mechanisms are also needed to ensure the safety of patients receiving treatment at home. As the policy is not yet clear, the insurance industry finds it difficult to assess its applicability.

The Life Insurers Association pointed out that according to current practical operations for home chemotherapy, chemotherapy drugs are mainly placed in outpatient clinics, and patients return home during the infusion period. After the chemotherapy infusion is completed, they return to the outpatient clinic to remove the chemotherapy drugs. Since both the initiation and completion are conducted in outpatient clinics, claims will be processed according to the policy if outpatient coverage is insured.

The MOHW's National Health Insurance Administration launched the "Home Acute Care Pilot Program" starting July 2024, applicable to infectious diseases including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue infections for disabled patients who have difficulty going out, with medical staff providing home visits. Medical care is gradually shifting from hospitalization to outpatient services, and even home hospitalization. However, as this type of care is not within the scope of commercial insurance, the MOHW and the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) held a meeting to assess the feasibility of developing new products. Currently, a total of 3 companies have expressed interest in planning to launch home acute care insurance policies.

Regarding new home acute care insurance products, the Life Insurers Association stated that it relies on the cooperation and assistance of the MOHW. The feasibility of relevant commercial insurance products is currently being studied, and policy development is underway.

The Life Insurers Association pointed out that commercial insurance is part of the social safety net. To protect policyholders' rights and interests, the FSC needs to supervise the financial operations and business management of insurance companies. Through balanced regulation, insurance companies can operate more stably. If insurance companies operate stably, policyholders' rights and interests will not be harmed. It is not the case, as reported by some media, that this is to ensure the financial stability of insurance companies and reduce their medical insurance losses. (Editor: Yang Kai-hsiang) 1150701

Stand with facts, your every donation is a force to protect press freedom.

Download CNA's "One News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time.

This website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.