Heatstroke Hospitalization Covered by Insurance: Nanshan Life Approved to Pilot Micro-Insurance Policy Against High Temperatures

(Central News Agency, Taipei, July 7) In recent years, due to climate change, the frequency of extreme high-temperature events worldwide has continued to increase. The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) announced today that it has approved the "Nanshan Life Group Micro Heatstroke Hospitalization Care Health Insurance Pilot Business." If hospitalization is required due to heatstroke or other heat-related injuries, a fixed insurance benefit of NT$10,000 will be provided. The pilot program will officially commence in July this year.

Cai Huo-yan, Deputy Director of the FSC's Insurance Bureau, stated that Nanshan Life had previously applied to the FSC to conduct the "Nanshan Life Group Micro Heatstroke Hospitalization Care Health Insurance Pilot Business." Approval was granted on May 28th, and the pilot program will officially launch in July this year, with a trial period of one year.

Cai Huo-yan explained that micro-insurance refers to insurance products offered by insurance companies to provide basic protection against specific risks for economically disadvantaged individuals or those with specific statuses. Social welfare organizations serve as the policyholder. The coverage applies to policyholders who are hospitalized for treatment due to specific heat-related incidents such as heatstroke, heat syncope, or heat cramps. The insurance company will pay a fixed heatstroke hospitalization care insurance benefit of NT$10,000 according to the policy, alleviating the financial burden on the public arising from hospitalization due to heat-related injuries.

Regarding the reason for the pilot program, Cai Huo-yan pointed out that current micro-insurance is divided into accident insurance and life insurance. Insurers hope to provide micro-insurance policies of other types to economically disadvantaged groups through business trials. This case, for instance, falls under health insurance. Nanshan Life had previously applied to pilot micro-insurance related to cancer. This time, it is for micro-insurance targeting heat-related incidents. The initial plan is to start the pilot program in Tainan City.

Nanshan Life stated that this pilot program will have the Nanshan Life Foundation as the policyholder, and the insured groups will include family members of low-income or low-to-middle-income households and elderly individuals receiving low-to-middle-income elderly living allowances, who meet the relevant legal conditions. The initial pilot locations for this micro-insurance will focus on urban heat island areas. After the pilot period or when conditions are met, adjustments will be made based on the pilot results to assess whether to expand the promotion to other cities and counties, providing protection to more vulnerable groups.

At the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Nanshan Life Chairman Yin Chong-yao stated that "the climate crisis is a health crisis" and pointed out that the insurance industry is an important adaptation mechanism and should play a crucial role as a safety net in enhancing societal climate resilience.

In addition, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) promoted the "Cooling Adaptation Strategy Alliance" last year and also piloted the "Cool Map," inviting First Commercial Bank to respond to the policy as a representative of the financial industry. External attention is focused on whether other banks will join.

Wang Yun-chung, Deputy Director of the FSC's Banking Bureau, stated that First Commercial Bank meets the EPA's conditions for establishing cooling points. As long as a branch meets the basic equipment requirements such as drinking water, seating, air conditioning, restrooms, accessible facilities, and fans, it can join. First Commercial Bank utilized its existing public spaces and facilities at its branches, with 82 locations meeting the criteria, and designated its headquarters as a demonstration site.

Wang Yun-chung explained that this initiative is primarily planned and selected by the EPA, with First Commercial Bank also serving as a demonstration. The FSC has requested First Commercial Bank to share its practical experience regarding cooling points with the Bankers Association of the Republic of China. Through the Bankers Association, the feasibility of financial institutions joining the EPA's platform in a timely manner will be assessed. He emphasized that this is purely an encouragement and banks will not be forced to join. (Editor: Huang Kuo-lun) 1150707

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