Starting on September 1, 2014, a part-time job income made by a single payment less than the minimum wage (currently at NT$19,273), is not subject to the supplementary premium.  Previously, the threshold was under NT$5,000.  The NHIA said that with a rise in the lower limit of supplementary premium for the part-time income, there are about 580,000 people benefited.  However, the annual revenues of the NHI premiums will decrease by NT $700 million because of this policy.

The NHIA said that the previous collection threshold only applied to the disadvantaged people defined by NHI regulations such as children and the youth, the near-poor households and students without a full-time job. While other people received a part-time job income made of a single payment up to NT$5,000, such an income would be collected supplementary premium.

Since the implementation of the 2nd Generation NHI, the public argued the NT$5000 threshold is still a heavy burden for the low-wage earners who need an additional part-time job to support their living.  Considering the public opinions and their financial burden, the Ministry of Health and Welfare revised the related articles of the Regulations of the Deduction and Payment of the Supplementary Premium.  Effective on September 1, 2014, for each insured, the collection threshold of the salary income paid by the non-group insurance applicants is the minimum wage.    Starting on that day, a part-time job income made by a single payment less than the minimum wage is exempt from the supplementary premium.

If the public has any questions about NHI, they are welcome to call the NHIA’s toll-free service line at 0800-030-598.