From the early stages of illness to the end of life, every patient deserves to be heard and to make well-informed decisions. To encourage the public to plan early for terminal care, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) continues to implement holistic hospice care policies. Starting from January 2026, the eligibility for Palliative Care Family Consultations has been expanded. In addition to terminally ill patients in inpatient wards and emergency departments, the service is also available to patients receiving home care and residents of long-term care institutions.
Palliative Care Family Consultation Services include:
- Participants: The consultation involves the attending medical team together with the patient or family members.
- Consultation Duration: Each consultation lasts at least one hour.
- Documentation: A complete record of the consultation and communication must be documented and incorporated into the patient’s medical record. The record must include the signatures of the participating medical team and the patient or patient’s family.
The NHIA stated that the initiative, with an allocation of around NT$28 million, is expected to benefit 12,000 people. The NHIA will continue to work with healthcare teams to support patients and their families in making medical decisions that align with their wishes during this important stage of life.