To ensure uninterrupted access to medical care during the Lunar New Year holiday, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) announced that additional incentive payments will be provided for medical manpower costs at Western medicine hospitals, emergency departments, primary care clinics, and pharmacies during the nine-day holiday period from February 14 to February 22, 2026. A total of approximately NT$16 billion will be allocated to recognize the efforts of frontline medical personnel who continue to provide services during the holiday.
The NHIA stated that to improve accessibility to medical services during the extended holiday, it has for the first time expanded incentives using funds from the “other sectors” category of the global budget to encourage primary care clinics to remain open. Incentive rates will be increased by 100% from Lunar New Year’s Eve to the third day of the New Year, 50% on the fourth and fifth days, and 30% on the days surrounding Lunar New Year’s Eve and the sixth day of the New Year. The aim is to divert patients with minor illnesses away from major hospitals and ease emergency department congestion.
For hospitals, emergency care, inpatient consultation fees, nursing fees, and pharmaceutical service fees will all receive a 100% increase during the holiday period. The NHIA also requires that more than 80% of the incentive payments be distributed to frontline medical staff. In addition, the NHIA will handle payment issuance directly, eliminating the need for medical institutions to submit additional claims and reducing administrative burden.
Considering possible reductions or suspensions of outpatient and pharmacy services during the holiday, the NHIA has also allowed patients with chronic disease continuous prescriptions to refill medications up to 14 days early to prevent treatment interruptions. The NHIA reminds the public that information on clinics and pharmacies operating during the holiday can be found on its official website or via the “NHI Express | My Health Bank” mobile application.
