Point 1
In order to process the application of the National Health Insurance Certificate (hereinafter referred to as “NHI IC Card”) from the insured, the Bureau of National Health Insurance, Department of Health, Executive Yuan(hereinafter referred to as the “the Bureau”) has stipulated this Direction.

Point 2
The NHI IC Card is used exclusively for the insured to seek medical care, and shall not be used as personal identification document or certificate.

Point 3
The application forms should be placed in the following locations (the said locations should also undertake the first-time issuance, reissuance, and renewal of NHI IC Card operations):
1. Service centers of each regional division of the Bureau.
2. Liaison offices of each regional division of the Bureau.
To offer convenient services for NHI IC Card application, the Bureau shall provide online application for group applicants and the insured.　The Bureau may also commission public or private organizations as agents in collecting application forms and fees of reissuance and renewal of NHI IC Cards.
The Bureau and all regional divisions of the Bureau shall provide electronic application forms on the websites for applicants to download and use.

Point 4
All regional divisions of the Bureau shall issue NHI IC Cards to all applicants who meet the insurance requirements.　However, for applicants who have never applied for health insurance or applicants with the status of “suspended coverage,” the NHI IC Card shall not be issued until the insurance application process is completed.

Point 5
When applying for NHI IC Card, the applicant shall provide original copy of identification document.　When an applicant commissions a third party to represent her/him, the representing party shall provide the applicant’s identification document in addition to the representing party’s own for inspection.　All regional divisions of the Bureau shall then review the relevant documents:
(1) Application submitted in person to the service centers or liaison offices of the regional division:
i. The Bureau must review the original copy of identification document provided by the applicant; if a representing party is in place of the applicant, the Bureau must review the original copy of identification documents of both the applicant and the representing party.
ii. If National Identification Card is provided, the validity of the card should be checked through the National Identification Card Query System of the Ministry of Interior.　Relevant insurance information shall be obtained from the applicant in order to verify the applicant’s identity.
iii. For applicant who provides printed photographs, the Bureau must examine whether the photograph is taken within two years, and that the specification is a two-inch colored (or black-and-white) photograph showing the upper front face of the applicant without wearing a hat or colored glasses.　
iv. The Bureau must review whether the application form is properly completed.
(2) Applications submitted via mail or collecting agents: The Bureau must review the identification document and process according to items 3 and 4 of the previous subparagraph.
When applicants apply for NHI IC Card at public or private organizations that serve as collecting agents for the Bureau, the Bureau shall request the commissioned agency to review the applicant’s identity according to item 1, subparagraph 1 of the previous paragraph; and process applications according to items 3 and 4.
The identification documents referred in paragraph 1 include:
(1) National Identification Card.　Applicants under fourteen years of age who have no National Identification Card may use Household Registry instead.
(2) Passport of the Republic of China.
(3) Automobile (Motorcycle) Driver’s License issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
(4) The Alien Resident Certificates in compliance with paragraph 2, article 16 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act.
Upon receiving NHI IC Card application, each regional division of the Bureau shall timely complete the issuance of the NHI IC Card in accordance with the following time schedule except in the event of vis major:
(1) Applications submitted at service centers of the regional division in person: issuance within two hours.
(2) Applications submitted via mail or collecting agency: issuance within two working days.

Point 6
The NHI IC Card issued by the Bureau is valid for six medical visits.　However, insured under the age of six may use the NHI IC Card for up to 18 visits.　Insured over the age of 70 may use the NHI IC Card up to 12 visits.
The number of medical visits mentioned in the previous paragraph expires on the next birthday of the insured.

Point 7
When the number of medical visit expires or is used in full, the insured may renew it via card reader stationed in contracted medical care institutions or the Bureau.

Point 8
The insured shall update the insurance identification notations of the NHI IC Card should one of the following occurs:
(1) Qualified/Disqualified as Category Five Insured in the National Health Insurance Insured Classification.
(2) Qualified/ Disqualified as Item One, Category Six Insured in the National Health Insurance Insured Classification.

Point 9
When applicants apply for NHI IC Cards, the regional divisions of the Bureau shall collect processing fees according to the “Standard of Filing Fees for The National Health Insurance Certificate”, and issue receipts accordingly.

Point 10
In order to provide convenient access for applicants to read the information stored in the NHI IC Card, as well as setting NHI IC Card password, branches of the Bureau should place card reader and operating instructions at specific locations.
In case that the insured forgets the password and applies to reset password, the branches of the Bureau shall verify the insured’s identification document, and offer assistance accordingly.

Point 11
In ase that the insured has withdrawn from coverage according to subparagraph 4, article 33 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act or has suspended coverage according to article 36 thereof, the NHI IC Card shall be kept safely in the cardholder’s care, and shall continue using it upon the completion of application for new coverage or resumed coverage according to subparagraph 1, article 30, or article 38 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act.