Introduction

In recent years, Taiwan has been facing the challenges of declining birth rates, resulting in an aging population since 1993. It is estimated that by 2025, Taiwan will enter into a super-aged society. The changing demographic structure directly impacts the heavy burden of medical care, especially in remote rural areas where medical resources are relatively scarce. Mountainous regions, in particular, face even more limited healthcare manpower and resources. However, they bear the significant responsibility of providing medical and health care services to the entire rural population. Therefore, Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration launched the "Mountainous Region Integrated Care Plan" in 2022, transitioning from a fee-for-service payment system to a capitation-based payment system. The aim is to reduce inefficient use of medical resources and allocate more resources to healthcare.