MOH modified insurance coverage
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOH) posted that they changed national health insurance coverage on drugs as of July 1. They informed the details of insurance coverage modifications last Friday.
According to new reimbursement guidelines, antitussives and expectorants are now covered by insurance when two active ingredients are prescribed for upper respiratory diseases or three active ingredients for other respiratory diseases except asthma.
Adding one combination oral suspension is eligible for reimbursement only for pediatric patients under age 6 when used without redundancy or overdose. Parenteral antitussives and expectorants are reimbursed only for urgent care.
Sulfamylon Cream is reimbursed for severe burns on the areas like the face, hands and joints with bacterial infections for two week use. Otherwise patients should bear the entire cost of the drug.
MOH also changed its reimbursement guidelines for eleven classified drug items including oral cyclosporins and leukotriene modulators.
Among the affected drugs by the guidelines, Avandamet is not reimbursed for patients with acidosis, kidney disorder, liver disorder, cardiovascular disease, diabetic ketonacidosis or severe lung dysfunction.