Minister Hsieh Jui-yuan of the Ministry of Health and Welfare recently announced that the revised draft of the "Regulations Governing Telemedicine and Medical Services," originally scheduled to take effect at the beginning of the year but delayed due to controversy, will be implemented in April 2024. This regulation aims to promote the provision of medical services through telemedicine.
A key change in the revision of the "Regulations Governing Medical Consultation and Treatment via Telecommunication" is that it removes the requirement for doctors to conduct diagnoses face-to-face. This means that patients can consult with doctors via video, telephone, and other means, receiving immediate and effective medical advice regardless of their location. The regulations apply to terminally ill patients, correctional facility inmates, people with mobility impairments, long-term care patients, and those with chronic illnesses, all of whom can access medical care through video conferencing. It is estimated that at least 7 million people will benefit from this service.
In the post-pandemic era, the importance of telemedicine has become increasingly prominent. This method of communication-based consultation provides patients with a more convenient and safer way to receive medical services, effectively shortening the distance between doctors and patients and providing immediate medical consultation in emergencies. This not only improves the utilization rate of medical resources but also provides patients with more flexible ways to seek medical care, which is of great significance, especially for patients in certain regions or special circumstances. With the continuous advancement of social technology, telemedicine is not only a temporary measure to cope with the pandemic but has also become an indispensable part of the healthcare system.
It is worth noting that the revised regulations also brought about adjustments to health insurance reimbursement. After the revision, health insurance reimbursement only applies to regional hospitals and clinics; if large hospitals use telemedicine, the relevant costs must be paid out of pocket. This measure, to some extent, promotes the rational allocation of regional medical resources and also encourages large hospitals to participate more actively in telemedicine to alleviate the burden on the healthcare system.
Furthermore, the revision of the "Regulations Governing Telemedicine and Medical Services" is of great significance to the development of the medical information industry. The National Health Insurance Administration will also assist primary care clinics in upgrading their equipment and cloudifying their medical information systems. Through telemedicine, patients' medical data can be transmitted to doctors more conveniently and instantly, further promoting the development of medical informatization. This not only improves medical efficiency but also contributes to medical research and data analysis, laying the foundation for the modernization and intelligentization of the entire healthcare system.
The revision of the "Measures for Telemedicine Consultation and Treatment" has promoted the application of telemedicine in the post-pandemic era, laying the foundation for the modern transformation and development of the healthcare system. This has not only changed the way patients seek medical care but has also had a positive impact on the development of the medical information industry, bringing more possibilities for the future of healthcare.
Source: Financial News Issue 699