| Rare diseases are classified as catastrophic illnesses. After a physician confirms the diagnosis and informs the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Health Promotion Administration, the patient can apply for a catastrophic illness certificate for exemption
from co-payments for treatments related to the disease. For medicines for rare diseases, the National Health Insurance Administration reimburses these through specially earmarked funds, enabling patients with rare diseases to receive appropriate treatment.
Patients with rare diseases can seek care at NHI-contracted healthcare institutions, where the clinical physicians will provide treatment and issue a prescription based on the diagnosis and refer to the regulations covering the reimbursement of related medications.
If a needed drug has not yet received formal regulatory approval but the Ministry of Health and Welfare agrees to the drug’s import (or manufacture) on a special-case basis and lists it under the “Rare Disease Control and Orphan Drug Act,” it must be reviewed
on a special-case basis by the National Health Insurance Administration before it can be used. For related application procedures and protocol, please visit the NHI website for more information. |