Chen Chih-hung: Home-based Acute Care Receives International Recognition, Showcasing Taiwan's Healthcare Strength

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 21) The results of the "Home-based Acute Care Pilot Program" promoted by the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) have recently been published in an international medical journal. Chen Chih-hung, Vice Convener of the Presidential Office's Health Taiwan Promotion Committee, stated today that this is precisely the important direction for a Healthy Taiwan, responding to societal changes with institutional innovation, proving policy feasibility with data-driven outcomes, and sharing Taiwan's experience with the world.

The results of the "Home-based Acute Care Pilot Program" promoted by the NHIA have recently been published in the international medical journal "Journal of the Formosan Medical Association." Titled "Early National Experience of Home-based Acute Care in Taiwan," the article shares the concrete achievements of Taiwan's National Health Insurance system innovation and care model transformation with the international community.

Chen Chih-hung, Vice Convener of the Presidential Office's Health Taiwan Promotion Committee and Emeritus Professor at the College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, stated that according to NHIA data, among patients receiving care at home, residents of long-term care facilities, and patients returning home after emergency room visits, a total of 89.9% successfully completed their treatment. The emergency visit rate within 14 days after care was only 2.9%, and the re-hospitalization rate was only 3.7%, demonstrating that the results were better than expected.

Chen Chih-hung pointed out that this is an important step for the Health Taiwan policy to move from concept to practice, and from domestic institutional innovation to international sharing. He also encouraged public-private partnerships and continued international experience exchange through journal publications to showcase the concrete achievements and international visibility of a Healthy Taiwan.

Medical professionals interviewed also affirmed Chen Chih-hung's views, believing that the publication of this medical research signifies that Taiwan has proposed a systematic, data-driven, and implementable new solution in response to the challenges of an aging society, healthcare capacity pressures, and changing care needs.

Senior medical professionals also analyzed and presented four points of observation, stating that firstly, the publication of these results in an international journal represents clear international recognition of Taiwan's National Health Insurance innovation. In the past, Taiwan's National Health Insurance was noted for its high coverage, low cost, and high efficiency. Now, it is further moving from "ensuring people can afford medical care" to "ensuring people receive more suitable care." The inclusion of home-based acute care in an international medical journal indicates that Taiwan's experience is not only a domestic policy achievement but also has international reference value, allowing the world to see Taiwan's medical governance capabilities.

Secondly, this system directly addresses the challenges of an ultra-aging society. This senior medical professional stated that Taiwan's population is aging rapidly, and the elderly, chronically ill patients, and residents of long-term care facilities often require hospitalization for acute issues such as infections. If all patients can only be hospitalized, it not only creates pressure on emergency rooms and hospital beds but also increases the care burden on families. Home-based acute care allows eligible patients with stable conditions to receive care from medical teams at home or in long-term care facilities, offering a more humane and flexible care option in an ultra-aging society.

The senior medical professional stated that thirdly, it represents the continuous upgrading of the National Health Insurance system. In the past, NHI primarily covered hospitals, outpatient clinics, and inpatient care. Now, acute care is extended to homes and communities, allowing medical care to occur beyond hospitals. Through the collaboration of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and interdisciplinary teams, coupled with remote monitoring and regular visits, the NHI system is further evolving from "paying for medical services" to "integrating care processes," marking a significant transformation from a treatment-oriented approach to a patient-centered one.

Finally, the numbers show outstanding results. The senior medical professional pointed out that according to NHIA data, as of March 31, 2025, 2,158 individuals have benefited, including those receiving care at home, residents of long-term care facilities, and patients returning home after emergency room visits. A total of 89.9% of patients successfully completed their treatment, with an emergency visit rate of only 2.9% and a re-hospitalization rate of only 3.7% within 14 days after care. These figures indicate that with rigorous assessment and medical team support, some acute patients do not necessarily require hospitalization and can safely complete their treatment.

Chen Chih-hung stated that the publication of home-based acute care in an international journal signifies that Taiwan has begun to establish a new model for future healthcare. It allows patients to receive treatment with peace of mind in familiar environments, reduces the care burden on families, and leads to more effective allocation of medical resources. This is precisely the important direction for a Healthy Taiwan, responding to societal changes with institutional innovation, proving policy feasibility with data-driven outcomes, and sharing Taiwan's experience with the world. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150621

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