The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) added 30 healthcare services to the NHI benefits, effective on December 1, 2024. The new addition includes single gene sequencing for seven different cancers, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and surface antigen (HBsAg) quantitative test, and the Ozaki procedure, which is used to treat aortic valve-related illnesses. These updates are expected to benefit around 66,000 people annually.
The NHIA stated that following the inclusion of next generation sequencing for 12 types of cancer this May (2024), the latest inclusion of single gene sequencing for 7 types of cancer shall further assist clinical physicians to establish a personalized treatment plan for each patient. This inclusion is expected to benefit an additional 10,000 cancer patients each year, with the NHI program investing approximately 100 million NHI points. To address the great clinical challenge of a high relapse rate of hepatitis B following the medication discontinuation, the NHI package will now cover HBcrAg tests, which helps to evaluate the activity of cccDNA in liver cells; providing critical data for doctors to determine whether to discontinue the medication, thereby minimizing the risks of fulminant hepatitis and other complications after medication discontinuation. It is expected to benefit around 34,000 people each year.
The NHIA pointed out that prostate cancer is the fifth most common cancer-related causes of death in Taiwan. To improve the diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer, the NHI package now covers [–2]pro-prostate-specific antigen (p2PSA) tests. This test helps differentiate between patients with benign prostate diseases and those with prostate cancer whose prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level falls in a grey area. In this way, unnecessary biopsy procedures can be avoided, minimizing the risk of complications. It is expected to benefit 19,000 patients annually Regarding patients with aortic valve-related illnesses, the NHI package now covers the Ozaki procedure (aortic valve neocuspidization with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium). Compared to the conventional treatment, the Ozaki procedure requires less time, has lower reoperation rate, and serves as an innovative and safer option for patients under 18. It is expected to benefit 13 patients each year with the NHI program investing 5 million NHI points.
The NHIA noted that medical technology advances rapidly. Therefore, the NHIA continues to allocate budgets for new medical technologies. Similarly, the NHIA shall continue to add or modify healthcare service items in the NHI payment package to align with the development of medical technologies and meet the needs of clinical care. The NHIA also works together with medical experts and representatives from premium payers to make the latest medical technologies available, improving healthcare quality and safeguarding the health of everyone in Taiwan.