Although prior to 1995 there were ten different health insurance schemes in Taiwan, including government employee's insurance, laborer's insurance, farmer's insurance and military personnel insurance, only approximately 59% of nationals were covered by these schemes. In other words, more than eight million people did not have health insurance and most of them were children under the age of 14 and the seniors over 65. To ensure that the population were able to receive appropriate care and treatment, the National Health Insurance program (NHI) was launched in March 1995. This program, administered by the Bureau of National Health Insurance (NHI), is now entering its 12th year.
Milestons of NHI

　　In 1988, a National Health Insurance planning committee was formed. Following pass-
age of the National Health Insurance Act and the organization bylaws of the Bureau of National Health Insurance, the NHI was formally launched in March 1995. In March 2005, this program celebrated its first ten years of operation. Since its inception, the program has been continuously modified and reformed in an effort to achieve ideal operating capacity with the goal of healthcare for all.

Organizational Structure of NHI

　　The Department of Health (DOH) of the Executive Yuan is the expert authority for NHI. Under the DOH, there are the Bureau of National Health Insurance and three committees: NHI Supervisory Committee, NHI Disputes Mediation Committee and NHI Committee for the Arbitration of Medical Costs.

　　To manage NHI operations effectively and achieve the best results, the head office of the Bureau of National Health Insurance is responsible for overall planning, supervision, research and development, manpower development, information management and auditing. Six branch offices directly process underwriting operations, insurance premium collection, review and payment of the medical fee claims and management of contracted medical care institutions. In addition, 21 liaison offices have been established to increase service effectiveness and convenience to date.

　　As of the end of 2004, the Bureau of National Health Insurance was comprised of 3,060 personnel (including those working in the head office, branch offices and joint outpatient centers). Among them, 2,536 were permanent staff members and the remaining 524 were temporary employees.