Ministry of Health and Welfare Proposes Adjusting Clinic Patient Volume Standards, Paving Way for Two-Day Weekends for Doctors

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 30. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced a draft amendment to the 'reasonable patient volume' standards for clinics in urban areas, potentially allowing doctors to take two days off per week. The Taiwan Primary Care Association welcomed the increased flexibility, though it noted that most doctors are unlikely to reduce their actual operating days. The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) announced the draft amendment on the 29th, with a 7-day public comment period. The amendment aims to improve payment efficiency and ensure timely access to care by adjusting the monthly operating day threshold (from 25 to 22 days) and daily patient volume brackets. Lin Ying-jan, head of the Primary Care Association, stated that doctors in Taiwan are 'too busy' and that the current system effectively limits them to one day off per week. He believes the new system will allow for two-day weekends without significant income loss. He added that due to intense market competition, most doctors would not reduce their operating hours, but the change would allow for flexible leave for personal or health reasons. Chen Hsiang-kuo, head of the Taiwan Medical Association, noted that while Saturday clinic rates are high (83%), it contributes to burnout. The new system aims to give doctors time for professional development and rest. NHIA Secretary-General Liu Lin-yi explained that the proposal, initiated by the medical association, could be implemented as early as July 1. To prevent emergency room overcrowding, the NHIA will monitor Saturday clinic rates and coordinate with the medical association to ensure patient access.