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SSB to stop NHI coverage of non-compliant employees

November 16th, 2016 | Tags: NHI SSB health coverage moral obligation suspension
The Social Security Board (SSB) has expressed that employers not only have a legal, but a moral obligation for their employees' well-being when it comes to making NHI contributions. Photo: VINO/File
Persons register for the mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) on today December 30, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Persons register for the mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) on today December 30, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Government of the Virgin Islands through its health arm has announced that it will be taking serious action against National Health Insurance non-compliant employees.

Today, November 16, 2016 the BVI Social Security Board (SSB) issued a statement advising delinquent employers that effective Monday, November 28, 2016, NHI coverage of benefits will be suspended due to non-payment of contributions.

"Since the inception of NHI, there are a large number of employers who are in default. By law, a grace period of three (3) months of non-payment has been extended to defaulting employers. During the 3 months grace period, calls were made and warning letters sent to defaulting employers," the SSB stated.

NHI will be proceeding to implement measures to suspend coverage due to non-payment and to avoid suspension of their employees' NHI benefits, employers must make the full outstanding contribution payment no later than November 28, 2016.

The controversial NHI will only be reinstated when full payment of the outstanding amount is made. During the suspension period, NHI will not pay for any healthcare services, supplies or prescriptions.

Legal & moral obligation

The Social Security Board expressed that employers not only have a legal, but a moral obligation for their employees' well-being.

Under the Social Security (National Health Insurance) Regulations of 2015, a contribution rate of 3.75% of insurable earnings is payable in respect of an employee, employer, dependent spouse, other adult dependent, or an unemployed pensioner (under age 65 where pension is the only source of income).

20 Responses to “SSB to stop NHI coverage of non-compliant employees”

  • musa (16/11/2016, 19:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    name a few
    • Concerned (17/11/2016, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do not name just a few; name them ALL.

      The delinquent employers should be listed in the newspapers and on line news sites. In this way, their employees will know that their NHI benefits are in jeopardy, and will be able to push their employer to pay what is due.
  • qc (16/11/2016, 19:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Payback time
  • im baffled (16/11/2016, 19:55) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    NHI benefits would be suspended … Is this what the guiding legislation mandates? To stop the benefit… So I was forced to use NHI, my employer deducts it, but does not pay it and now I won't have coverage even though my pay check is showing that deductions are being made. What is really going on in this place? Somebody, Anybody please say something because I not understanding.
    • @Im baffled (16/11/2016, 21:08) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
      If you have private insurance and your employer deducts it from your pay, and did not paid it to them, will you get coverage? The answer is NO. You first need to speak to your employer and demand that it is paid. If he or she does not comply take them backside to court with your payslip showing proof that they deducted it. And if you get sick while it is suspended, I suggest that you take your medical receipts/bills to court and make your employer cover them in full because of their thieving behaviour. NHI should not be held accountable for defaulters.
    • crock o crap (16/11/2016, 22:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      they cut cost,quality and services for everybody except for da political elite.laughters da best medicine but nhi hardly covers for a chuckle,talk about savin a bundle on life insurance...God help us!
    • @Im baffled (17/11/2016, 05:55) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not only do I think you have a point but that you are in fact cautioning SSB lest they end up on the wrong side of the law. It is unfortunate to learn that "Since the inception of NHI, there are a large number of employers who are in default." and I suppose SSB is desperate to recover and are throwing an ineffective threat to employees in the hope that the employees take action on their delinquent employers. However if SSB does have the legal grounds to suspend the settlement of claims of innocent employees and I suffered loss because of their action I would challenge that action through the courts. By and large I do think SSB /NHI are good people who mean well and are trying to make sure that our investments remain protected.
  • wize up (16/11/2016, 20:06) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    the BVI is filled with unemployed documented workers they will be a burden to the system
  • ChiefofStaff (16/11/2016, 21:16) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    So NHI didn't do their jobs with collecting the contributions from employers for almost a year and now they talking piddle about suspension? Mr Minister, please, I beg you. Look into what is going on or in this case Not going on at the NHI office, with the collection of my contributions. I know for a fact that my 3.75% was deducted, plus for my wife who I pay for as an unemployed spouse. Please Mr Minister, after paying NHI contributions I can't afford to have my benefits suspended. Make your NHI staff do their job and go collect my contributions. Please, I'm begging you.
  • Another nonsense attack on the poor.. (16/11/2016, 22:20) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is the height of Nonsense and an attack on the poor. Lock up the people who deducting the money for NHI and not paying it in.. Why deny Employees who can prove they are paying their portion of NHI.... These people are so ceazy and so Ungodly,. Why are they threatening to cancel people's health when they are paying.. I'm so upset. OMG... Come down father come down.
    • too many fools (17/11/2016, 00:27) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      How about picking up the phone on a regular basis and checking that your contributions are up to date?
    • NHI Crime against employees. (17/11/2016, 07:03) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      They know the local employers who are not paying and they also know that most the employees are immigrants...This kind of wilful and blatant thinking and approach should be a crime. NHI office should be charge " For willfully allow a crime to take place under their watch and willfully putting the onus on the wrong group "
  • employees (17/11/2016, 05:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just st want to be sure. If an employee is earning $600 per week, how much should be deduct out of the employee weekly salery , 3.75% or 7.75% ?
  • Who has the Burden? (17/11/2016, 06:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do they want to punish the employees when the power of NHI contributions are in the employers hand.. This is so Brainless.. And Anti Poor and Anti immigrants.. A cowardly way out.
    • fool (17/11/2016, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      It is exactly like Social Security. If your employer does not pay it in but deduct it and you go to SS to get the benefits they will turn you away because of that. It is also your responsibility to make sure your employer pays what is deducted. Pick up the phone and call to find out how up to date your contributions are both with NHI and SS. Stop being ignorant.
      • @fool. u sick. (17/11/2016, 12:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Apparently you are aa insider trying to defend the defenseless....If your money is coming out what reason you have to call.. Ok.. Ask your boss. Hope u paying my contributions. Then he sees it at disrespect. Or one call social security and the employer is told X call to enquire. Then X don't have a job. A sick fool. The boss alone is responsible, and if NHI was efficient main fact that they know, they should have revolves it.
  • Soo.. (17/11/2016, 08:33) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    so if my employer is deducting NHI payments from my salary but not making the contribution to NHI, why do I as the Employee have to pay for that....investigation is needed into WHY these employers aren't paying not just jump and say employees will be penalized.
  • Really? (17/11/2016, 09:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why should the onus be on the employee? If his or her pay cheque shows that the monies have been deducted, they should get coverage and the employer who did not pay should be billed for the treatment plus administrative costs. In addition, employers who do not pay should have their trade licenses suspended. How is this not fraud? To ask an employee to take their employer to court for not paying is suicidal.Regardless of the outcome, the employees tenure will soon come to an end. Another poorly thought out scheme.
  • W*F (18/11/2016, 10:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is the EMPLOYERS who are non-compliant. Place the blame correctly.


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