Digital Health Care in Taiwan

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This open access book introduces Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) system, focusing on the integration of digital technology to enhance healthcare access and quality. The authors detail how Taiwan leverages its robust Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector and 5G to create an information system that supports medical information exchange, data collection for planning and research, and improved medical claims reviews, while also aiding in the fight against COVID-19. Launched in 1995, Taiwan's NHI is a single-payer system funded mainly by payroll-based premiums, offering comprehensive benefits to all citizens and foreign residents without the long wait times typical of other systems. Despite reforms in 2010, the NHI faces financial stability challenges, particularly with an aging population and the need to expand coverage for new treatments and telemedicine services. Privacy concerns regarding personal health data and its use for research or commercial purposes are also critical issues. The book's 12 chapters explore the NHI's history, characteristics, current status, innovations, and future reforms in the digital age, covering topics like income strategy, payment structure, health equity, and the application of big data and artificial intelligence. This work is essential for academic researchers, students, policymakers, and professionals in healthcare administration, health policy, and public health.