To ensure healthcare accessibility during Lunar New Year holidays, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) is providing add-on payments to medical professionals for Western medicine hospitals, emergency departments, clinics, and pharmacies. The add-on payment is applied during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, from February 14 to February 22, 2026. The incentive program has been approved in the Pharmaceutical Benefit and Reimbursement Scheme Joint Committee Meeting on December 24, 2025. The NHIA has allocated around NT$1.6 billion aiming to reimburse medical professionals for their hard work in delivering healthcare services during the holiday season.
The NHIA has highlighted two key features of the 2026 Lunar New Year incentive program. First, the program stipulates that at least 80% of the add-on payments must be allocated to frontline medical professionals, in recognition of their contributions during the holiday season. Second, the payments are directly reimbursed by the NHIA, without additional applications, thereby saving administrative procedures.
In response to patients' needs, the NHIA especially encourages local clinics open, during the holiday season ensuring healthcare accessibility. For the first time, the NHIA utilizes funds from "other department" of the global budget to address this issue. A 100% add-on payment will be applied from February 16 to February 19; 50% on February 20 and 21; 30% on February 14, 15, and 22. Through the incentive program, the NHIA aims to prevent overcrowding of the emergency room due to minor conditions. As for hospitals, a 100% add-on payment will be applied for emergency care, in-patient consultation, nursing, and pharmaceutical service fees during the entire holiday.
In response to temporary outpatient services reduced or suspended. Patients with refillable prescriptions may have them refilled up to 14 days in advance. For patients whose prescription supply runs out during February 14 to February 22, 2026, they may make a follow-up visit to obtain a new prescription or have the next month's prescription refilled starting January 31, 2026, ensuring continuous healthcare for the public.