New rules introduced yesterday have eliminated a scheme allowing people to suspend their National Health Insurance (NHI) contributions while living abroad for more than six months.
Previously, Taiwanese who suspended their contributions only had to pay three months of premiums to regain access to NHI medical services upon returning to Taiwan.
However, under the new rules, those living overseas would no longer be able to suspend their contributions and must continue paying monthly premiums to keep their NHI coverage, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) said.
Photo: CNA
The changes would not apply to those who have suspended their contributions or applied to suspend them before yesterday, if they return to Taiwan after six months, the NHIA added.
Taiwanese living abroad who no longer wish to pay premiums would be able to disenroll from the NHI program by terminating their Taiwanese household registration.
Those who return to Taiwan within four years can re-enroll with the same NHI account, provided they pay or have paid the monthly premiums covering their first two years overseas.
Meanwhile, people living abroad for more than four years must live in Taiwan for six months before they can re-enroll in the NHI program and pay premiums for their first two years overseas.
However, should Taiwanese who lived abroad for more than four years return to Taiwan due to employment, they would automatically have their NHI resumed through their employer.
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