Corrections Facility Inmates Now Covered by National Health Insurance
- Publication Date ：
- Last updated：2019-03-20
- View count：1558
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Starting on January 1, 2013, corrections facility inmates are now included in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system and may enjoy the same healthcare services as the rest of society. The coverage is a result of the NHI Administration's implementation of the "Plan to Provide Healthcare Services to NHI Recipients in Corrections Facilities." A total of 90 NHI healthcare facilities were selected to provide NHI healthcare services, preventative care, and AIDS treatment to 49 corrections facilities. Since then, the NHI has provided over 2,100 medical appointments per month to corrections facilities, across 28 specialties in western medicine, Chinese medicine, and dentistry. An average of 56,000 inmates per month see doctors, with over 400 admitted to inpatient care. The policy as well the quality NHI medical care are widely praised among inmates, with satisfaction rates above 90%.
Because corrections facility inmates have limited freedom, they must in principle first make appointments in their corrections facilities. If referrals are needed, they may then receive further examinations or treatments at NHI hospitals or clinics outside their corrections facility. Out of considerations for fairness, inmates must pay the same co-pays as other NHI recipients.
With the introduction of NHI resources, the Agency hopes to improve healthcare and health outcomes for inmates through better personnel, medical equipment, and examination spaces, as well as to build an environment that respects life and protects human rights. This is all to ensure better compliance with Article 157 of the Constitution and Article 7, Paragraph 10 of the Additional Articles, which specifies that the state must protect the people's health.