Taiwan to stop covering COVID fees of foreigners without NHI

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan announced on Monday (Dec. 5) that it will stop paying for COVID-related medical fees of foreign nationals who don't have national health insurance starting on Jan. 1, 2023.

At present, the Taiwanese government covers all COVID-related expenses of foreigners without health insurance, including quarantine and medical fees regardless of your

nationality. As the government has already spent NT＄3.2 billion on such costs, a new policy will be in place next year.

Starting in 2023, authorities will continue to pay for Taiwan nationals’ COVID expenses, regardless of whether they subscribed to the National Health Insurance scheme or not. Foreign nationals withnational health insurance will remain covered too.

Still, many in Taiwan have also expressed worry over the upcoming Chinese New Year as an influx of travelers from China is expected.

However, Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) Commander Wang Pi-sheng assured the public that as the number of Chinese travelers are likely limited, the impact to Taiwan won't be too important.

As the number of COVID infections drop in Taiwan, the CECC is also encouraging overseas Taiwan nationals to return home and get booster vaccine shots. The vaccines are also available for foreign nationals after they have practiced self-health management for 7 days in Taiwan.