全民健康保險停保、復保制度檢討–法律與政策觀點

In Taiwan's National Health Insurance, the insured can apply for suspension of coverage when she or he plans to stay overseas for over six months. When the person returns to Taiwan, the coverage shall resume automatically. However, a person who travels overseas for less than six months and returns to Taiwan at an earlier date shall revoke coverage suspension upon the day when he/she arrives at Taiwan and make up the premium payment.
The suspension and resumption of coverage system has some legal and policy problems: 1. The National Health Insurance Act never authorizes the government agency to enforce such a system; 2. The system distorts fair and equal distribution of burden in social insurance; 3. The related rules prescribed by the government agency are complicated and confusing, leading to many peoples' complaints and legal disputes with the government. For preserving fairness/equality and eliminating social loss form administrative burden and disputes, we suggest the abolition of suspension and resumption of coverage system. Besides, we also suggest some measures for improving the existing system.