Use of two medical devices to help prevent sudden cardiac death and treat neurological disorders has been added to National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage, the National Health Insurance Administration announced yesterday.
The devices are subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICD) and deep brain stimulators (DBS), it said in a statement.
The expanded coverage would benefit about 90 people each year and require a reallocation of about 76.5 million points, the agency said.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
At the current exchange rate of NT$0.9 per point, that amount translates to nearly NT$70 million (US$2.2 million), it said.
The NHI has covered the use of intravenous cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) since 2003 for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia, it said.
People who cannot be treated with an ICD, such as small children or those with vascular malformations, an S-ICD is necessary, the statement said.
With the value of a single S-ICD at 950,000 points, annual expenditure would be nearly NT$26 million for 30 machines, it said.
DBS is the best treatment for dystonia — a nervous system condition that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions — when botulism toxin treatments fail, it said, adding that the electricity use of DBS means rechargeable devices are the most effective option.
As many people with dystonia are young and have limited mobility, families often bear a significant burden, it said.
Following discussions with clinical experts and medical device manufacturers, NHI coverage would now include DBS, with each machine being valued at 834,310 points, it said.
With an expected 58 uses for people with NHI coverage per year, the annual expenditure is expected to be more than NT$43 million, it said.
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