The Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare has put in place a series of new policy measures that include expanding National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage for several medications and also raising the threshold for waiving interest charges on overdue National Pension Insurance payables.
According to a news report in the Taipei Times, the new measures have come into effect from 1 October 2026. The new rules will ensure that the National Health Insurance (NHI) beginning from 1 October 2026 expands the coverage for several major medications for rare diseases, cardiovascular conditions, blood disorders and cancers.
The statement issued by the Ministry said there would be significant additions to cancer care medication coverage, such as Pembrolizumab for metastatic or recurrent unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as well as Yescarta — a CAR-T cell therapy — for people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or high-grade B-cell lymphoma.
The Ministry statement said a clinical evaluation will, however, be needed to verify qualification for Yescarta coverage, the single-treatment cost of which is about NT$8.19m. The medication is used by about 36 to 88 people per year.
The eligibility threshold for Galafold (migalastat hydrochloride) for people with Fabry disease would also be lowered from 16 years old to 12 for those with amenable mutations, offering them with an oral treatment option, the NHIA said.
People battling lung and oesophageal cancers would gain expanded access to Tevimbra (tislelizumab). The therapy covers late-stage or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as first, second and third-line non-small cell lung cancer, benefiting 726 to 1,108 people annually, the Ministry statement said.
The new rules will also facilitate that interest charges on overdue National Pension Insurance payables would be waived if the total interest payable for the month is less than NT$100 ($3.14), up from NT$30, which is expected to benefit more than 100,000 citizens each year.