Q1: Where can I get the information of the National Health Insurance (NHI)
　　Program?

Ans:
　　If you have any questions about the NHI, you could e-mail the questions by visiting our website, http://www.nhi.gov.tw, call toll free: 0800-212-369 or contact the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI) headquarters or any of its branch offices listed below:

(1) BNHI Headquarters:
　Tel: 0800-212-369
　 Address: 140, Sec. 3, Hsinyi Rd, Taipei 106

(2) Taipei Region Branch:
　 Tel: (02) 2523-2388
　Address: 17, Hsuchang St., Taipei 100 or
　15-1, Kungyuan Rd., Taipei 100 or
　7, Sec.1, Chungshan N. Rd., Taipei 104

(3) Northern Region Branch:
　Tel: (03) 438-1111 ext. 2031-2064
　Address: 525, Sec.3, Chungshan E. Rd., Chungli City, Taoyuan 320

(4) Central Region Branch:
　Tel: (04) 2258-3988
　Address: 66, Shi-Cheng N. 1st Rd., Taichung City 407

(5) Southern Region Branch:
　Tel: (06) 224-5678 ext. 1607 - 1611
　Address: 96, Kungyuan Rd., Tainan 700

(6) Kao-Ping Region Branch:
　Tel:(07)323-3123
　Address: 157, Chiuju 2nd Rd., Kaohsiung 807

(7) Eastern Region Branch:
　Tel: (03) 833-2088
　Address: 36, Hsuanyuan Rd., Hualien 970

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Q2: Are foreigners eligible for Taiwan's National Health Insurance Program?

Ans:
From July 17, 1999, foreigners, staying in Taiwan for at least 4 months and holding Residence Certificate, are eligible for and should enroll in the NHI Program. Foreign employees with specific employers should enroll in the NHI from the date of employment.

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Q3: How do foreigners enroll in the NHI Program?

Ans:
(1)Foreign employees should provide Xerox copies of Work Permit and
　Residence Certificate to their places of employment (i.e. employers) for
　enrollment in the NHI program. A foreigner as the head of an enterprise is
　eligible for NHI coverage after residing in Taiwan for more than 4 months.

(2)Unemployed foreigners, if qualified as dependents of an insured person, may
　enroll under that insured person.

(3)Unemployed foreigners, if not qualified as dependents of an insured person,
　should bring the Residence Certificate to the village (township, municipal and
　district) administration offices to enroll in the NHI Program.

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Q4: What's the definition of dependents under the NHI program?

Ans:
Dependents of the insured are defined as follows:

(1) The unemployed spouse of the insured

(2) The unemployed lineal blood ascendants of the insured (e.g.: parents,
　grandparents)

(3)The unemployed lineal blood descendants within the second degree of
　relationship who are under 20 years of age; or who are 20 years old or over
　but incapable of earning a living; or are in school without employment (e.g.:
　children, grandchildren)

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Q5: Are foreign missionaries eligible for the NHI program?

Ans:
　　Foreign missionaries holding Residence Certificates are eligible for the NHI program. They can enroll in the NHI through the village (township, municipal, and district) administration offices or through government approved religious organizations or through local religious groups which they belong to.

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Q6: Are foreigners who marry Taiwanese females eligible for the NHI program?

Ans:
Foreigners with Taiwanese wives and holding Residence Certificates may enroll in the NHI as indicated below:

(1) Foreigners with specific employers may enroll in the NHI program starting
　from the first working day through their employers or places of work.

(2) Foreigners who are self-employed can enroll in the NHI after residing in
　Taiwan for at least 4 months under their own business.

(3) Foreigners who are unemployed may enroll in the NHI as dependents, if
　applicable, after residing in Taiwan for at least 4 months.

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Q7: If one qualifies for more than 2 different categories of dependents, how does
　　he/she choose the right category to enroll?

Ans:
(1) One who is under 20 years of age and not employed or who is 20 years old
　or over but incapable of earning a living; or is in school without employment can
　enroll in the NHI program as a dependent under a parent who qualifies as an
　insured.

(2) One who qualifies both as a dependent of a spouse or a lineal blood ascendant
　or descendant may enroll under either conditions.

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Q8: Can foreign students be eligible for the NHI?

Ans:
(1) Foreign students with Residence Certificates and staying in Taiwan for more
　than 4 months can bring the Residence Certificate to the local village (township,
　municipal and district) administration offices or directly go to the school where
　they study for enrollment.

(2) Foreign students with relatives who qualify as an insured person under the
　NHI program can enroll in the NHI as dependents. (e.g.: With parents living
　outside Taiwan but grandparents living in Taiwan, the student may enroll as a
　dependent of the grandparents.)

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Q9: How does a person in charge of the branch office of a foreign enterprise in
　Taiwan enroll in the NHI? And are their dependents eligible for the NHI if they
　have Residence Certificates?

Ans:
　　If this person is an employee of the foreign company, the Certificate of Employment approved and issued by the Investment Review Board of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, it is required to enroll such a person as an employee of a company. Otherwise, the person should enroll in as an employer. Dependents who have resided in Taiwan for at least four months may apply for coverage.

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Q10: How do employees of foreign enterprises with branch offices in Taiwan
　　enroll in the NHI program?

Ans:
　　Employees of a branch office of a foreign company will be eligible for the NHI program after the company receives official business permit or registration issued by the proper authority responsible for the specific type of business. To apply for NHI coverage, please submit copies of the official business permit or registration and the ID card or Residence Certificate to the appropriate NHI Branch Office. Taiwanese nationals employed by this company should be enrolled under Category 1.

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Q11: If the insured under Category 6 (especially foreigners) changes addresses,
　　how does one inform the BNHI of the new address?

Ans:
(1) If the new address is still under the same Group Insurance Applicant (village,
　township, municipal or district administration area), the insured should inform
　the local police station first. Then, bring the updated Residence Certificates with
　the address changes to the village (township, municipal and district)
　administration offices so that the premium bill may be sent to the new address
　to avoid late payment and fines.

(2) If the new address is under a different administration area, the insured should
　withdraw from the original Group Insurance Applicant first, then enroll in the
　NHI program from the new Group Insurance Applicant (village, township,
　municipal or district administration area).

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Q12: Would foreigners lose the coverage if they return to their countries of origin?

Ans
The insurance coverage will be cancelled under the conditions listed below:

(1) Those foreign residents who cease to have a legally acceptable reason to
　reside in Taiwan or decide not to return to Taiwan will lose their eligibility for
　coverage and should apply to withdraw from the insurance. All outstanding
　premium should be paid prior to departure from Taiwan.

(2) Those foreign residents who leave Taiwan for vacations or on business trips
　and still have valid permit to remain in Taiwan will be continued to have the
　coverage.

Those foreign residents who plan to leave Taiwan for more than 6 months can either continue to pay the premium to keep the coverage or to withdraw from the insurance. In the latter case, no premium is required.

Upon returning to Taiwan, application to reactivate the coverage should be submitted. Those who choose to discontinue the coverage, but return within the 6-month period need to repay the premiums to cover the period while absent from Taiwan. Those who continue to pay premium and maintain coverage may claim for emergency treatment or childbirth medical expenses while living outside of Taiwan. Proper documentation certifying the medical condition and expenses incurred is required for reimbursement application.

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Q13: Is there any penalty if one refuses to enroll in the NHI?

Ans:
　　The NHI program is a compulsory insurance. Anyone who is eligible for the NHI should enroll in the program. Those who refuse to enroll in the NHI will be fined the amount between NT$ 3,000 and NT$ 15,000. The enrollment will be retroactive to the first day when a person becomes eligible. However, until the required premium or penalty is fully paid, the coverage will not come into effect. Written notices with specific time limit within which the overdue amount should be paid will be sent to the insured or the Group Insurance Applicant. Prolonged overdue accounts will be dealt with through legal means.

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