Hepatitis B & C Screening and Liver Checkups: How to Do It? One-Time Publicly Funded (Starting at Age 45), Liver Cancer Surveillance for Carriers
Liver disease is a 'national disease' in Taiwan, with hepatitis B and C being the main causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer. The Health Promotion Administration provides adult preventive health services including 'Hepatitis B and C screening'—a one-time publicly funded blood test for individuals aged 45 to 79 (indigenous people from age 40), and starting August 2025, expanded to those born in or before 1986 up to age 79. No fasting required. Carriers or those with chronic hepatitis need regular abdominal ultrasound for liver cancer surveillance. The following is a neutral summary of screening eligibility, process, and key points for liver checkups; it is informational and not medical advice.
Hepatitis B and C Screening: One-Time Publicly Funded, How to Do It
This is part of the Health Promotion Administration's adult preventive health services. It is a blood test, no fasting required:
- Eligibility: One-time for ages 45 to 79 (indigenous people 40 to 79); starting August 1, 2025, expanded to those born in or before 1986 up to age 79, estimated to benefit an additional 2 million people.
- Method: Blood test for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody, no fasting; available at over 6,000 adult preventive healthcare facilities nationwide.
- Check eligibility first: Those who are eligible for the one-time screening can visit a contracted facility for the test; actual eligibility is subject to the latest announcement by the Health Promotion Administration.
What If the Screening Result Is Positive? Hepatitis C Can Be Cured with Medication
A positive result means further evaluation is needed; no need to panic:
- Positive hepatitis B surface antigen = carrier status; the physician will assess whether monitoring or treatment is needed; being a carrier does not necessarily mean the disease will develop.
- For those with positive hepatitis C antibody, the facility will assist in testing HCV RNA viral load to confirm active infection; currently, oral antiviral drugs for hepatitis C are fully covered by health insurance with a cure rate of nearly 99%.
- Those diagnosed with chronic hepatitis or carrier status should have regular follow-ups and follow the physician's monitoring and treatment plan.
Carriers and Cirrhosis Patients: Regular Liver Cancer Surveillance
Chronic hepatitis B and C and cirrhosis are high risk for liver cancer and require long-term monitoring:
- Chronic hepatitis B and C carriers and cirrhosis patients are at high risk for liver cancer; clinically, regular abdominal ultrasound combined with blood alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing is often recommended (typically every 6 months, but the interval is determined by the physician based on risk).
- This type of monitoring is clinical follow-up, different from the 'one-time publicly funded screening' mentioned earlier; abdominal ultrasound is usually a self-paid health check or arranged based on a physician's recommendation.
- Early liver cancer often has no symptoms; regular monitoring helps detect it early and seize the opportunity for treatment.
Is 'Fatty Liver' Commonly Found in Health Checkups a Concern?
Fatty liver is frequently detected on abdominal ultrasound; most cases are reversible, but do not ignore it:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver is associated with metabolic issues such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, and is a common finding on abdominal ultrasound.
- Most mild fatty liver can be improved through weight control, diet, exercise, and managing the three highs; a small number may progress to steatohepatitis or fibrosis.
- Whether further evaluation (e.g., liver function, fibrosis assessment) is needed should be determined by a physician; discovering fatty liver can serve as a reminder to adjust your lifestyle.
How to Arrange a Liver Checkup? Neutral Suggestions
Make good use of both publicly funded screening and self-paid health checks:
- First, use the 'one-time publicly funded hepatitis B and C screening'—this is the most basic step and only requires a blood test.
- For those with risk factors such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, family history of liver cancer, or long-term alcohol use, discuss with a physician whether to add abdominal ultrasound, AFP, and other monitoring.
- In summary: Hepatitis B and C screening is publicly funded, one-time, no fasting; carriers or high-risk individuals should undergo regular liver cancer surveillance as advised by a physician. Actual items and eligibility are subject to the Health Promotion Administration and physician recommendations. This page provides neutral information and is not medical advice.
FAQ
At what age can I get hepatitis B and C screening? Do I need to pay out-of-pocket?
The Health Promotion Administration provides a one-time publicly funded hepatitis B and C screening for individuals aged 45 to 79 (indigenous people aged 40 to 79); starting August 1, 2025, it expands to those born in or before 1986 up to age 79. It is a blood test, no fasting required, available at over 6,000 contracted adult preventive healthcare facilities nationwide. Those who are eligible after checking can receive the test for free. Actual eligibility is subject to the latest announcement by the Health Promotion Administration. This page provides neutral information and is not medical advice.
Do I need to fast for hepatitis B and C screening? What tests are done?
No fasting required. Hepatitis B and C screening involves a blood test for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody. If the hepatitis C antibody is positive, the facility will assist in further testing for HCV RNA viral load to confirm active infection. This screening is part of adult preventive health services and is publicly funded for eligible individuals.
Can hepatitis C be cured? Do I need to pay for medication?
Currently, oral antiviral drugs (DAAs) for hepatitis C are fully covered by the National Health Insurance. The treatment course is usually a few weeks, with a cure rate of nearly 99%. Individuals with positive hepatitis C antibody should undergo further viral load testing to confirm active infection and be evaluated by a physician for treatment. Early treatment helps reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Actual coverage conditions are subject to NHIA regulations.
Will all hepatitis B carriers develop liver cancer? How often should I follow up?
Not necessarily. Being a hepatitis B carrier does not mean you will develop the disease or liver cancer, but it is a high-risk group requiring regular monitoring. Clinically, it is often recommended that individuals with chronic hepatitis B or C or cirrhosis undergo regular abdominal ultrasound combined with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing for liver cancer surveillance (typically every 6 months, but the interval is determined by the physician based on risk). Carriers must follow up as advised by their doctor and not discontinue monitoring due to lack of symptoms.
I found fatty liver on my health checkup. Is it serious? Do I need treatment?
Most fatty liver is associated with metabolic issues such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, and is a common finding on abdominal ultrasound. Mild cases can often be improved through weight control, diet, exercise, and managing the three highs. A small number may progress to steatohepatitis or fibrosis; whether further evaluation is needed should be determined by a physician. Discovering fatty liver can serve as a reminder to adjust your lifestyle.
Do I need an abdominal ultrasound for a liver checkup? Is it covered by public funds?
The publicly funded 'one-time hepatitis B and C screening' is a blood test and does not include abdominal ultrasound. Abdominal ultrasound is usually a self-paid health check item or arranged based on a physician's recommendation. For high-risk individuals such as those with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, family history of liver cancer, or long-term alcohol use, physicians often arrange regular abdominal ultrasound and AFP monitoring. Whether it is needed and how often should be discussed with a doctor.
This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only, not Medical advice, and does not constitute any diagnostic commitment.