Taiwan's Healthcare Crossroads: Balancing Practitioner Pay and Clinic Sustainability

Minister Chiu Tai-yuan Navigates Challenges in the Face of Potential Clinic Closures Over Proposed Wage Regulations

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taiwan is currently deliberating changes to the National Health Insurance (NHI) regulations. A recent meeting convened by the NHI Administration addressed modifications to the special management regulations for healthcare providers. The proposed changes focus on the compensation of medical professionals employed by hospitals and clinics. Specifically, if a clinic fails to meet the standard of paying medical staff at least twice or 1.5 times the monthly wage announced by the Ministry of Labor for that year, their NHI contract could be terminated, forcing patients to pay out-of-pocket for medical services.

This proposal has sparked concern within the medical community, raising fears that it could lead to financial hardship and potentially the closure of clinics. Minister of Health and Welfare, Chiu Tai-yuan, has responded to these concerns, stating the government's aim is to simultaneously support healthcare providers and improve the salaries of medical personnel. He emphasized the government's commitment to finding a solution that benefits hospitals, medical professionals, and patients alike.

The proposed changes to the "National Health Insurance Medical Service Institution Special Contract and Management Regulations" also include provisions regarding the conditions under which a healthcare institution can be denied a special contract or have its contract renewed. The NHI Administration intends to incorporate the salary levels of medical staff into the terms. Furthermore, healthcare institutions that fail to publicly disclose the minimum and average NHI monthly insurance contributions for various medical professionals annually could also face termination of their special contract. The announcement of these proposed changes has prompted an immediate reaction from clinic operators, who are concerned that the requirements could lead to the closure of many Taiwanese clinics.