Received, understanding and satisfaction of National Health Insurance premium subsidy scheme by families of children with disabilities: A census study in Taipei City

The purposes of the present study are to provide the first data on utilization, understanding and satisfaction of the National Health Insurance (NHI) premium subsidy for families of children with disabilities in Taipei. Data from the 2001 Taipei Early Intervention Utilization and Evaluation Survey for Aged 0-6 Children with Disabilities were analyzed. In the study, a total of 1006 questionnaires were mailed, of which 340 valid questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 33.8%. More than one-third of families of children with disabilities did not receive any financial subsidy of National Health Insurance (NHI). Less than half of the respondents (43.8%) understood the NHI premium subsidy policy completely, while 28.7% partial understood and 27.5% still did not know this auxiliary policy. Approximately 38.5% of the respondents were specifically very satisfied or satisfied, with the NHI subsidy program. There were 18.9% respondents who felt dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the NHI scheme for children with disabilities in Taiwan. Chi-square or t-test analyses were significant for the caregiver's age (p < 0.05), children's disability onset and disability diagnosed age and disability level (p < 0.01) on receiving the subsidy assistance. A multiple stepwise logistic regression revealed that the factor of 'onset age of disability' was slightly significant associated with the use of NHI premium subsidy (OR = 0.966; 95% CI = 0.947-0.986). Health policies should aim to reduce the inequity in NHI premium subsidy utilization and improve their understanding and satisfaction toward this subsidy scheme.