According to current trends, Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) reserve fund position is expected to be comfortable over 2026 and also 2027. Based on figures presented in a recent meeting of NHI Committee it was projected that the reserves would approach the legal minimum level by the end of 2027.
The NHI reserve fund serves as an emergency buffer for unexpected medical spending. Under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Act, NHI reserve fund must remain above one month of average benefit payments.
Responding to media reports about NHI reserve fund, Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chung-liang said the estimate is based on long-term models that may not fully reflect recent economic conditions.
He said supplemental premium income has increased in recent years, supported by higher wages. It has also been boosted by stronger financial market performance, including dividend-related taxable income.
Mr Shih said there has been a steady annual growth in the NHI budget over the past three years, ranging from NT$40bn ($1.27bn) to NT$60bn. Based on current trends, reserves next year are expected to remain at about 2.8 months of spending, or roughly NT$200bn.
On that basis, he said there is no need to adjust premium rates in the near term. Regarding the longer-term outlook, Mr Shih said the NHI system operates under an adjustment mechanism linked to revenue and expenditure conditions, and that rates will be adjusted if necessary.
The NHI Committee in its meeting in November 2025 had also announced that Taiwan's NHI premiums will remain unchanged in 2026. Committee’s executive secretary Ms Chou Shuwan had said the general premium rate will stay at 5.17% in 2026.
She had said the NHI reserves are projected to stand at the equivalent of about two months of expenditures by the end of 2026 -- above the legally required minimum of one month.