A 38-year-old woman from Chiayi, Ms. Tsai, had been married for many years but had not become pregnant. Accompanied by her family, she sought medical care at a hospital. With a family history of diabetes, a preference for sweets, and being overweight, Ms. Tsai was diagnosed with diabetes following examination, along with abnormal urinalysis results indicating proteinuria. The medical team enrolled her in the "Integrated Care Program for Diabetes and Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease," implementing personalized assessment, systematic care coordination, designated case management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through health education sessions, dietary and nutritional counseling, and blood glucose monitoring, her condition gradually improved. Her blood sugar, kidney function, and blood pressure came under control, and soon afterward, she joyfully received the news of her pregnancy — a result that delighted both her and her family.
A division director of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) stated that since 2022, the NHIA has promoted an integrated co-care program with the goal of enabling patients to receive both diabetes and kidney disease screening and care during a single medical visit. This not only reduces the number of medical visits required but also enhances the overall efficiency of care. In addition, as diabetes is one of the leading causes of dialysis, early intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration have proven effective in improving the quality of care for patients with diabetes and early-stage chronic kidney disease.
To further improve the quality of care for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, the NHIA has expanded coverage for oral blood glucose-lowering medications—specifically SGLT2 inhibitors—starting in March 2025. In addition to diabetes patients, the expanded reimbursement now includes individuals with chronic kidney disease and heart failure who meet specific clinical criteria. This policy aims to enable early pharmacological intervention, delay the progression of kidney function decline, reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, and enhance both access to treatment and the overall effectiveness of care for patients with comorbid conditions.
The NHIA will continue to deliver a comprehensive chronic disease care system through professional healthcare teams. Through timely intervention and continuous, integrated care, the goal is to help patients achieve better disease stability.