In response to the government’s policies encouraging family planning, the BNHI has introduced a new policy effective today to ensure that pregnant women's NHI IC cards would not be suspended, even those with outstanding insurance premiums. NHI covers prenatal check-ups and labor and delivery services for pregnant women under all circumstances to safeguard the health of mothers-to-be.

Under this new policy, pregnant women would not have to worry about IC card suspension before receiving prenatal examinations. This would offer protection to both the mother and child during pregnancy and delivery. The BNHI has informed all NHI contracted hospitals and clinics to provide additional assistance to pregnant women. In cases where the NHI IC card of a pregnant woman is suspended, the hospital or clinic would contact the BNHI to reactivate the IC card. The BNHI encourages pregnant women to receive prenatal examinations and medical services and give labor and delivery at NHI contracted hospitals and clinics. The BNHI has also notified local governmental welfare agencies to inform their social workers and other social work organizations to remind pregnant women of their medical rights and contact district BNHI offices to reactivate pregnant women's suspended NHI IC cards. The BNHI toll-free service and reactivation hotline is 0800-030-598.

In addition, the BNHI has also put in place a "Medical Treatment Program for the Underprivileged," where NHI IC cards for persons under 18 years old would be exempt from suspension. This ensures medical security and benefits for pregnant women during pregnancy, such as prenatal exams, medical services, and delivery, and for children ranging from newborns to 17 years.