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Heavy fines set out for NHI non-compliance

- defaulters may be fined up to a thousand dollars, plus a further one hundred dollars for every day during which the offence has continued
The Regulations governing the controversial and mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) have been gazetted on December 29, 2015 and set out penalties for non-compliance by employers and employees, which include fines. Those regulations came into operation on January 1, 2016. Photo: NHI
Scores of persons in the line to be registered during the final days of 2015. Photo: VINO
Scores of persons in the line to be registered during the final days of 2015. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Regulations governing the controversial and mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) were gazetted on December 29, 2015 and set out penalties for non-compliance by employers and employees, which include fines. Those regulations came into operation on January 1, 2016.

Efforts to reach Deputy Director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for the NHI, Roy N. Barry and Manager of Beneficiary and Advisory Services in the NHI Division Kishma A. Baronville, for a comment on the progress of the NHI so far proved futile today January 3, 2016.

According to the NHI in an issued statement, Part II of the Regulations deals with registration. Every person residing in the Territory is required to apply for registration as a beneficiary within one month after the Regulations come into force, or within one month after taking up residence in the Territory.

A beneficiary may be registered in any of the following categories: employed, self-employed, dependent spouse, dependent child, unemployed pensioner, unemployed senior, unemployed adult, indigent, ward of the state, or other dependant.

“Failure to register by 31st January 2016, or one month after taking up residence in the Territory, will result in a delay in coverage until contributions are fully paid up, plus a three month waiting period from the date of the application. An employer or resident who fails to register or provide appropriate notification of a change in work, family or immigration status commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, plus a further one hundred dollars for every day during which the offence has continued,” said a statement from the NHI.

It said that employed persons who have not yet obtained an NHI membership card are encouraged to communicate with their employers to verify their registration status, then visit the NHI Office in the Joshua Smith Building to be photographed for a membership card.

“Government employees are also encouraged to apply online using their employee numbers, or seek assistance from their Human Resources Manager, then visit the NHI Office to be photographed for membership cards,” the statement said.

It said that all other residents, except persons residing in state-run institutions, are required to submit applications on behalf of themselves and their dependents to the NHI Office, using the prescribed forms (which can be downloaded from the NHI website: www.vinhi.vg or collected at the NHI Office).

According to the statement, where persons have completed the first phase of registration and require urgent care before being issued a membership card, heath care providers can verify a beneficiary’s membership status by contacting the NHI Office on dedicated phone lines that are accessible on a 24 hour basis.

43 Responses to “Heavy fines set out for NHI non-compliance”

  • ladies and centlemen (03/01/2016, 10:28) Like (74) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is how a dictatorship government operates.
    • Check (03/01/2016, 11:13) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      I going check to see how much of the ndp business ppl sign up
    • Purge (03/01/2016, 20:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let the culling begin!
    • Monique (05/01/2016, 07:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I thought legislation was to be in place to assist unemployment NHI was much more effective than hospitality workers being laid off during off season.
  • NB (03/01/2016, 10:55) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    we have become puppets
  • Struppz (03/01/2016, 11:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Umm ok
  • Just saying (03/01/2016, 11:30) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    i do not look at this as democracy,people do no seems to have choices these days.
  • Hmm (03/01/2016, 12:51) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Idk what kind of operation Ndp runnin. They done spend off all the money on personal things now the citizens have pay. Is this not a crime?? Do the higher power in England know about this corruption that is taking place? If not, they need to be notified as soon as possible this is not right!
    • :/ (04/01/2016, 11:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The "higher power" even have us to study? They up there living it up & could care less. Look they does send their representatives here & what ever happens? Nothing!! They only coming to do their time and go back but getting down & looking into issues the country facing to report back to her royal highness not happening. The last governor didn't do it this one here now looks worse still
  • Eastman (03/01/2016, 13:02) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ayo keep playing with people Money.Look at what you people did by putting NDP back in.Remember i said so,somebody will get hurt.
  • wize up (03/01/2016, 14:13) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    to early in the year for this NHI Story; its sad to begin 2016 in a depressed state of mind...
    • Wantstoknow (03/01/2016, 15:10) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Has anyone try to use their card as yet?
      • Card User (03/01/2016, 18:46) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        For one - The cards are only valid since 2 days. Also - have you paid your contribution as yet to be able to use the card???
        • A SO (04/01/2016, 12:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
          Why Government left it's employees without proper insurance coverage before NHI is ready?
  • sorry (03/01/2016, 14:35) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    These communist dictators better be careful. Are they threatening the people who put them in power? They better know what they are doing. They are asking for an uprising in these peaceful islands. They need to be accountable to the people and let them know where their taxes have gone. Britain needs to come in and have an investigation on this government. The governor must do his part to ensure there is good governance. We do not want these men representing us.
    • :/ (04/01/2016, 12:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Uprising in BVI? Never happening! The amount of injustice that goes on in this place, show me who stands up for the rights of the ppl. Remember the majority are outsiders on permit and don't want to mash anybody corns & run the risk of losing their jobs or being deported. So grumble they will but won't stand up.

      The queen not doing a damn thing bout the corruption in this place. Her representative she sends every how many yrs what exactly does he do? Show me which of them pushes to dig in the affairs of the country. Waste of time.

      What choice is there when it comes to these scoundrels representing us? June 5th ya'll overwhelmingly voted them back in to power so now they doing what they want & the country bawling. Think they even listening to ppl? WHEN!!! Smith head so far in the sand I doubt he even knows what year he in and his lil misfits doing as they bloody well please and he none the wiser. Yet he upset when he get called a moomoo lol I swear something wrong with that man
  • bojan (03/01/2016, 14:41) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    All say is just like how they had poling stations around this country do the HHI like that for the end of Jsnuary will come and there will be alot of people still not registered more over picture taken.u can tell me i go to take my pic and by 9 am my #is 563 when i going to leave there and in the Sun.
  • Well... (03/01/2016, 15:06) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are some corporations that have collected forms and all the necessary attachments from their employees months ago and have not turned them in to NHI. In cases such as that the employers should bare all the costs of any fines handed down to employees.
  • qc (03/01/2016, 15:12) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    All ayo hush ayo voted for the wicked NDP so tek dat!
  • be careful (03/01/2016, 16:15) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    I hope NDP Know what they are doing.
  • Charley Rose (03/01/2016, 16:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since the Governor seems to be sleeping on many issues the are affecting the people of this territory, the leader of the opposition Honourable Julian Fraser needs to write the British Government and list the concerns of the citizens. There are three persons in the BVI the British government will answer before any one else. They are the governor, the Premier and the leader of the opposition. What is the leader of the opposition is waiting for. Get on with the issues and do not wait on the concerned citizens to fight the battle for the people. If so be the case then he is not fit to be opposition leader..
  • mest up (03/01/2016, 19:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    what a mess
  • Disgusted (03/01/2016, 20:37) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    They could barely get people registered and they talking about issuing fines. They need to get organised first before they implement this Insurance.
  • Waiting (03/01/2016, 21:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I registered months ago, was told they would call me back. Heard nothing, received no confirmation that i am registered, never had my picture taken - i hope they haven't lost my name off the list.
  • Penalise who? (03/01/2016, 21:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If employees refuse to provide their employer with the required documents in order to register them how can the employer be fined???? I understand that the employer still has to make the required NHI contributions for its employees. I guess the employer will submit the monthly remittance forms with blank registration numbers for their employees.
  • All yours (04/01/2016, 00:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Remember how you moo moos paraded around and partied when Obama got re elected? Well guess what, you now getting shoved down your throat the same thing people in the states getting. Your gov't saw how happy everyone was with what Obama does, they be copying him. Jah help us all.
    • No Comparison (04/01/2016, 20:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Obamacare is a choice for people in the United States who do not have health insurance. It is no comparison to this NHI crap. I hope the NDP dig two holes when they were digging for the people because this is the end of them. They are a deceitful bunch who do not care about the people. I am so sick of them now.
  • F@#k the NDP & NHI (04/01/2016, 06:53) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh look they are quick to point out that people will be fined $1000 plus an additional $100 each day they fail to sign up for NHI but they still haven't told any of us what our monthly pay to NHI will be or the deductables or how much it will cover. This is not the first time hearing about this fine and so I guess NHI will only cover less than 40% of ones expenses. In 3 more year I dont want to hear a word about this government. We need to throw them out the door for throwing us the people under the bus.
    • Numbers (04/01/2016, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your contribution is 3.75% of your maximum insurable earnings and your employer pays the other 3.75% for a total of 7.5%. You do the maths.
  • True (04/01/2016, 09:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If we the people just stand together united as one WE would have more power than them
    • wize up (04/01/2016, 09:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ true; that level of togetherness went out in 60s & 70s back then we did not have money: I will say this, some of those persons talking are some of the very first people to sign up for NHI, lets be honest most VI Landers have money and will not go against the political system because government funds goes a long way in this territory and one will be unwise to bit the hand that feeds them....
  • Psychologist (04/01/2016, 09:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But with all this dictatorship and enslaving, you people will till vote them in. I cant vote because I am the watchdog tied to the gate.
    • wize up (04/01/2016, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ watchdog; you dam right when it come voting time and those white envelopes start passing around; hell yesssss!....just a point of information social security became mandatory over 30-years ago and still functioning to this day, as a matter fact social security have been the financial-backbone for both administrations.....
  • tretretrete (04/01/2016, 09:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We Was warned about the crisis the ndp Will put us in but like the ppl in Noah days we dont listen. Now we have to suffer
  • reality (04/01/2016, 10:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We don't have to suffer God will take care of them. There is a wave that will be Passing thru the HOA watch and see.
    Pray and watch the Shuffling that is going to take place.
  • What Up (04/01/2016, 12:01) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Water and Sewage operating under staff and with only one vehicle. Schools do not have any supplies. Some departments having problems paying their staff. Some district Reps claim there is no money for annual Christmas Party. Just to name a few. The tax payers are awaiting accountabily.
    • wize up (05/01/2016, 00:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ what up: all of those millions of dollars borrowed must be repaid so payment to lenders will be given top priority: cant wait to see how many international bands leaving with our money this festival
  • Eagle Eye (04/01/2016, 16:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    People ndp pushing our buttons.dont feel sorry for them because they dont feel for us.this is a drop out year bless.
  • chad (05/01/2016, 00:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This NDP government is really going too far with this insurance . Every one should have a choice and not dictate to. I applaud those who are willing to challenge them. Let's stop the madness
  • two cents (05/01/2016, 13:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    why are we subjected to such penalties. We are already contributing enough to social security and they are taken our contributions and doing what they want with it. It's already hard to be paying tax and social security and now another 3.75% added on to our expense every month. Most people are so busy trying to make a living they cant be bothered with the politics and dishonesty of the government and failure of accountability to the people after they have spent OUR MONEY. I don't see them charging the trust companies when they are not compliant.
  • Observer (07/01/2016, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Those NHI Employees quick to run off when people are coming to register to take a picture. It's leading to people not getting their stuff done and leading to a fine. Some are just sitting around as well not doing anything. I'm sure nothing will be done about that because the government want their $1000 so it will continue happening.

  • W*F (07/01/2016, 13:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP have to Go. NDP got to Go. NDP must Go. NDP please Go.


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