Health coin program to begin next month
TAKE YOUR PICK: The program would be expanded to give more choices, with multiple partners offering similar rewards, so people are not limited to one choice
By Lo Pi and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer
The government’s “health coin” program launches next month, but points would not be redeemable until December, as the agency seeks more partners to expand the program’s redemption options, Health Promotion Administration (HPA) Director-General Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬) said yesterday.
The HPA yesterday held its first briefing for businesses interested in joining the program, Shen said.
The briefing would explain how businesses can join the program, who is eligible and what to do to connect to the health coin system, she said, adding that the response from businesses has been enthusiastic.
Health Promotion Administration Director-General Shen Ching-fen speaks to reporters at a news conference in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: CNA
People can start earning the coins by engaging in healthy behaviors starting next month, when the program launches, although they would not be able to redeem points until December, Shen said.
The HPA is expanding the program to offer more choices across different sectors and venues to avoid a situation in which popular rewards run out, she said.
Shen used as an example the sports coin program, where vouchers for PX Mart were quickly redeemed, but vouchers from other convenience store chains were still available.
The health coin program would have multiple partners offering similar rewards, so people are not limited to a single choice, she said.
Items that could be redeemed with the coins have not yet been announced, Shen said, adding that businesses can choose to join in the first or second phase.
After yesterday’s briefing, the HPA would start checking the products and services offered by participating businesses and convene a panel of experts to review them, she said.
The health coin program aims to encourage a cycle of healthy living, so redeemable products and services should promote a healthy lifestyle, Shen said.
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