‘It’s still unclear what NHI Healthcare providers may charge’ – CIL MD Brian W. Jermyn
He was speaking to this news site yesterday December 30, 2015 during an exclusive interview on that company’s preparation for the controversial mandatory government health insurance coverage programme.
“We have been working with the NHI office trying to get some information out of them. While there was some uncertainty before we are pretty confident to know that the NHI will start on January 1, 2016,” he said.
Mr Jermyn said that while he understands the registration period has been extended the actual coverage will start on Friday January 1, 2016.
“So what we have been doing with our customers is that we have met a lot of them in person and provided them with some information on an overseas plan that we are offering,” he said, adding that through Lloyd’s of London and Guardian Life of the Caribbean, CIL is offering a group and individual overseas health plan.
“What the overseas plan will do is exclude coverage in the BVI but offer additional options for people who may want to seek coverage overseas.
'Health care providers may charge above NHI fees'
“We will be offering a local top up plan but to be honest the fee schedule between the NHI and their private providers have just been agreed within the last week or so and the providers still have the option of charging over and above the NHI fees,” Mr Jermyn disclosed.
He said that it was not sure at this point how much more the providers may charge and this may have an impact on their top up plan price, explaining, for example, that if doctors were to reduce their fees to see patients to match what the NHI is offering then there is no need for a top up plan.
“But a doctor now has the option of charging over and above that amount and until we know how much that would be it makes it very difficult to determine how much extra coverage people will need,” he said. “However we are working on that. We are working with the providers to get from them so that we could properly price our top up plan.”
Persons have expressed the concern that with NHI they may be forced to abandon their private insurance coverage they have had for years in some instances. They also expressed concern that they may be limited to just a few overseas healthcare providers with the NHI instead of what their private insurance allows.
Meanwhile, registration for NHI has been extended until January 31, 2016.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
18 Responses to “‘It’s still unclear what NHI Healthcare providers may charge’ – CIL MD Brian W. Jermyn ”
What Jermyn is saying is that he does not have sufficient information to price his plan. Please now crawl back under your rock and let the adults handle this. Don't forget to switch on your brain next time you comment.
@ My story - what is the name of your insurance company? Just because you had a bad experience with..... don't mean that all insurance companies bad. Be fair now.
W hat will happen to persons with pre existing condition and are being treated overseas? What about medication that is not available on Tortola? What fees should we expect from doctors, will they be allowed to charge what they want to? Where are the equipment for sonograms, mammograms, MRI, CT Scans ,special X rays and more? Where are the specialists, in particular cardiologist? The minister needs to give the people answers. The minister must tell us what his intentions are. Is he giving up his private insurance? The people want answers. Don,t let us go to court for answers.
Guess what if you are over 65 you start paying co-pay at the hospital on those very nice fees they came up with when before you paid nothing or your BUPA covered it after deductible. Guess what you will have to pay more now.
Also check their coverage limits for preventative care. You will be hard pressed to get a colonoscopy or mammogram completely paid for. Sadly your private insurance previously gave you decent coverage for. $500 for tests? please don't get diabetes or any other serious illness. For that matter please don't do labs more than once per year because you will hit your max lickity split and be out of pocket.
Say what thats the price of covering everyone. So if you can afford get a supplemental group policy while you can