1.Today, in response to concerns from the Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation over medical fees, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) have made it clear that the medical fee issue is of great importance and indeed requires further review. DOH Minister Chih-Liang Yaung instructed both the Bureau of Medical Affairs (BOMA) and the BNHI to conduct a joint review on the self-paid medical expense  charges by hospitals and clinics to examine the appropriateness and reasonableness of the fees and to outline a range for acceptable fees.

2.The BNHI has policies that specially-appointed hospitals should clearly stipulate which items are covered or not covered by national health insurance, notify patients in advance, and issue medical receipts. BNHI regional divisions will conduct unannounced targeted inspections at hospitals and perform telephone interviews. People who are overcharged with additional fees at hospitals or clinics can report to local public health bureaus or BNHI regional divisions with their medical receipts.

3.To continue to improve the medical environment and the national health insurance system in Taiwan, the DOH will further commit itself to creating a friendly medical environment by working with county/city public health bureaus and the BNHI. Items covered by the national health insurance will be made clearer to the public, and self-paid items as well as self-paid medical expenses will be defined using a specific range which is both clear and reasonable to patients.