‘Non-traditional’ contract signed for NHI with JIPA Network
This they explained, however, was not necessary as based on submitted proposals by JIPA and several others who were seeking to secure the contract, JIPA stood out as it did not require a fixed payment sum and more so it was familiar with ‘dealing’ with the Virgin Islands.
This was brought out at the contract signing ceremony between the Social Security Board/National Health Insurance and JIPA Network in the conference room of the Social Security Board earlier today October, 1, 2015.
JIPA Network is a premier association of health care providers which reaches throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America and the United States. The integrated network is comprised of physicians (primary care, specialists and sub-specialists), hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, and ancillary health care providers, as well as pharmacies, medical equipment and transportation companies. JIPA Network will provide access to high-quality, state of the art health care with focus on medical excellence, safety and patient satisfaction.
No upfront cost
“There is no upfront cost…and we anticipate that when we refer somebody for service that the cost saving is going to be anywhere between 25 and 40%,” said Ms Skelton.
Hon Skelton said, “You heard the Managing Director mention in her statement that we looked at different options and based on the analysis, JIPA Network option was the better option. If it was tendered in the traditional sense? No.”
Ms Skelton said that what also led to JIPA being selected was the scope of its network. “True there was no upfront fee, we didn’t have to put up no money upfront, some of them were asking for upfront fees. Thirdly, because of the persons in-charge of the network,” she said, further explaining that some of the persons in charge of JIPA’s network are experienced with working in the Virgin Islands.
Many proposals submitted
While the contract was not tendered in the ‘traditional’ sense, Mrs Skelton said that there were a number of companies that had submitted proposals.
Chairman and CEO of JIPA Mr Kester Nedd, DO, commended the initiative taken by Government with the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI). "I applaud your country for taking this brave step.”
Noting that he is familiar with what the rest of the Caribbean is doing in this regard, Mr Nedd said he thinks that the VI Government should be congratulated from the standpoint that it is taking a step that other Caribbean nations need to take and want to take, but have not been able to do so.
He added, “The worst thing you can do as a consumer is go out on your own for healthcare. It is not only costly from a financial standpoint, but [bad] for your health.”
Mr Nedd further said he has personally seen the consequences suffered by many patients that access healthcare without going through professional arrangements, in that they arrive late and at the time they arrive, “sometimes we don't have enough ability to prevent negative outcomes.”
Making remarks also was Deputy Director of SSB Mr Roy N. Barry.
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19 Responses to “‘Non-traditional’ contract signed for NHI with JIPA Network”
Who are the network providers in the united states? Please can someone inform us
Can someone from the NHI office be a bit more forth coming please
http://www.jipanetwork.com/faq/patient-faq/
This new associate will strengthen the NHI system and I am extreme proud of the BVI Government and Mrs Skelton Mrs Skelton is a remarkable professional lady who have served this country well with Social Security and now NHI.
We must all understand what this new associates will do for us and it is clear that we now have a professional organization that will manage our health records. Thank God for that.
If they had any sense they would have let the companies fight for their business.
Same thing went down with all the other major NHI contracts. Do some research VINO you would be surprised what you find under that stone.
Welcome to another NDP style "Done Deal", "No-bid", Contract signing