The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that, effective January 1, 2023, non-R.O.C. nationals not enrolled in Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) program will need to pay their medical expenses during their isolation period if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 in Taiwan. The CECC explained that, in consideration of a steady increase in the number of inbound travelers, it would adjust the eligibility criteria for the government's program to cover the medical expenses of people diagnosed with COVID-19 during their isolation period, starting January 1, 2023 (based on the time of diagnosis).
A. The government budget will cover the medical expenses related to isolation and treatment of R.O.C. nationals (regardless of NHI status), non-R.O.C. nationals enrolled in the NHI program, and employed foreign nationals in Taiwan (including blue-collar foreign workers, white-collar foreign workers, unaccounted-for foreign workers, and foreign fishermen employed in Taiwan) during their isolation period.
B. For non-R.O.C. nationals not enrolled in the NHI program, i.e. foreign nationals not mentioned in the above categories, if these individuals are diagnosed with COVID-19 in Taiwan, their medical expenses during their isolation period must be borne by themselves.
The CECC pointed out that, in response to these changes to the eligibility criteria for the government-funded program, non-R.O.C. nationals not enrolled in the NHI program cannot seek medical attention through video consultations if they test positive on a rapid test in Taiwan. Such individuals need to visit a healthcare facility designated by their local Department of Health, on "a list of healthcare facilities that offer self-paid COVID-19 care for non-R.O.C. nationals" (an updated version is published at: https://gov.tw/e2R), to seek medical help in person. If a doctor evaluates such an individual and diagnoses COVID-19, the individual will be admitted to a hospital for isolation and treatment according to the principles for separate admission and treatment of confirmed COVID-19 cases or will be sent, through arrangements of the local Department of Health, to a government quarantine facility, enhanced quarantine hotel, or a location designated by the local Department of Health. The individual will stay at that place to receive home care until he or she meets the criteria for release from isolation or treatment. The individual's expenses during his or her isolation period, including the expenses of isolation and treatment in the hospital, the costs of the visit to an outpatient or emergency department related to COVID-19 on the day of isolation or treatment, antiviral medication costs (including herbal formula NRICM101), home care expenses, and other expenses required for COVID-19 care or treatment, must be borne by the individual.
