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Women to foot bill for overseas births under NHI – Skelton

- overseas coverage to include pregnancies that encounter complications which cannot be treated locally
Medical coverage under the National Health Insurance Programme is not expected to extend to women giving birth in foreign countries under normal circumstances. Photo:VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Pregnant women in the Virgin Islands with hopes of having their babies delivered in hospitals overseas in places such as St Thomas or Florida may have to foot the bill themselves or use an alternative insurance provider once the mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) Programme comes on stream later this year.

This is according to Executive Director of the Social Security Board, Antoinette Skelton, who appeared on the Speak Your Mind show aired on February 23, 2013 on a local TV station.

One caller on the show queried whether overseas births will be covered under the upcoming NHI programme and was informed that this would not be the case.

Moderator of the show, Julio ‘Sam’ Henry, in seeking clarity from the caller asked, “caller, let me ask you this… be specific… you’re asking generally, if you just wanted to have your child overseas, would you be covered?” The caller confirmed that this is what she was querying.

Noting that the Programme is geared towards the support of ‘local services’ initially, Ms Skelton explained, “if those [required] services are not available [on] island, then we gear you towards an approved person off-island.”

Instances of normal pregnancies, she explained, can be dealt with on-island, “if you have a high-risk pregnancy and we have no facility or specialist on island that can deal with your care, of course you will be referred off-island and that pregnancy will be paid for.”

She continued, “If you so choose to have a baby off-island, now that becomes an issue of sovereignty, and that claim will not be honoured by the NHI.”

“Once the NHI comes on stream,” Skelton added, “there will be no need for your private insurance.”

The NHI Programme is expected to come on stream in August 2013 after the relevant legislation has been passed following consultations with the general public and the implementation of and necessary adjustments through these consultations.

38 Responses to “Women to foot bill for overseas births under NHI – Skelton”

  • . (25/02/2013, 13:22) Like (5) Dislike (42) Reply
    Island people could get kids here and we cant get ours overseas? Then what are we paying for?
    • Online Now (25/02/2013, 13:39) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
      You're paying for the same as the "Island people" and are getting the same cover. "They" also could not use the insurance to have a child overseas. Pretty simple really.
      • jj (25/02/2013, 16:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        Hah hah hah.... Hah hah hah.....Hah hah hah..... Hee hee hee..... Hah hah hah..... Hee hee hee.....

        I will finish this blog when I stop laughing.
    • Hmm (25/02/2013, 15:03) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      I swear people dont't think where in the world you'll find a National Heath Insurance that you can use outside that country? If you want to do that keep your BUPA or get another Health Insurance.
      • radio 1 (26/02/2013, 07:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Why should this government show any interest in POOR PEOPLE? they have never been IMPORTANT ANY MORE once there is an NDP government in our BELOVED COUNTRY!!!!
    • u (25/02/2013, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      u must be young or just ignor---
    • Tolian (25/02/2013, 19:14) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Idiot, Tortola must be a continent
    • king (26/02/2013, 11:40) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      You're really ingnorant in regards to using that phrase 'Island People', the BVI/ Tortola is an island ALSO....NAIVE/ RETARDED person
    • g (26/02/2013, 12:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      I think that you have to unstand what they are trying to say...... here is an example; When we have Atlantic Sourthern I went overseas to have my son...I gave them my card and it was later denied and I have to foot the bill...My son is now 11 yrs old.....Therefore there is alot of things I can understand where they are coming from....especially when the services you are looking for is not found here on Island..you now have that opportunity to seek help overseas and they will pay for it...It's not your fault the services was not available on island....when is comes to pregancies as they say it is something that considered a normal occurance...in case of emergencies and they can't provide assistance they will foot the bill for you to go elswhere...
    • passport (27/02/2013, 07:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The problem is when the "island people" as you call them geth their children here, the same stupid law that is in place prevent them from getting a passport for the children born here. This is not right!
      • okay (02/03/2013, 19:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Straying for the topic because if you go to any other Caribbean county its the same thing your child can't get a passport if you are not from that country just so you behaving like Tortola rules are just special to Tortola its all over the Caribbean. Tortola is just catching up! I think the laws need to be stricker and better enforced by BVI Officials and people who operate these BVI offices.
  • Yes (25/02/2013, 13:23) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    this is discrimination
  • tretretrete (25/02/2013, 14:03) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    Okay if we people not from here are being forced to pay into this insurance since it is mandatory and also we are being forced under the insurance to have our kids here are they going to get scholarships from high school, are they going to get their passports without the BS??? Because this is not fair, you know gonna force all private enterprises to get rid of their private coverage for this. Atleast my private coverage allowed me to go where I choose. Now you are saying I have to get my kid here and still go through the hassles with other stuff?? That does not seem right............
  • . (25/02/2013, 14:54) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    This will only encourage more outsiders to become pregnant and born their babies here
    • vince (25/02/2013, 15:58) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      If they are paying into NHI they have that right idiot. A visitor to the BVI cannot just walk into the hospital, get a child and be covered under NHI..fool.
    • . (25/02/2013, 17:18) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Of course! And when the NDP give rights to those born here who you think they will vote for? I can't believe people so slow to see how things are going.
  • Really? (25/02/2013, 14:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What if you HAVE to give birth overseas due to HIGH RISK PREGNANCY????
  • ccc (25/02/2013, 15:19) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    who having dem children in this hospital? not me!!!
    • . (25/02/2013, 17:20) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Only those women who want to then claim that their child born here and should have rights here. BVI women who can afford would go to a larger hospital with better facilities.
      • NonBVIwoman (27/02/2013, 23:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I must put my two cents
        I am not from here and I have AS Insurance, and I "choose" to go to PR to have my child, later on this year so is not only BVI women, non BVI women who can afford it, like in my case, "choose" to make a sensible decision regarding the management of there pregnancy. It's my choice, not NHI mandatory choice for me regarding my health care, and when the baby is born it going under the same AS Insurance. WHY! it is my choice!
  • tretretrete (25/02/2013, 15:26) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Forget the outsiders story the Mrs Skelton stated and I quote “Once the NHI comes on stream,” Skelton added, “there will be no need for your private insurance.” I as well as others will be loosing our freedom to choose who to seek our medical needs from whether its to have our kids or surgery or even a physical. Due to this new NHI scheme they want to put in place......I do not think that the NHI is a bad idea if implemented towards employers who doesn't provide insurance to their staffs, the elderly and retirees....but i just don't see why persons who already receive this benefit from their employers should be forced into this NHI.....I honestly feel the people need to protest about this it is wrong
  • vince (25/02/2013, 16:00) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I was wondering the same thing. I can understand a pool for current uninsured or under insured, but people who are happy with their coverage should be able to stick with it. I don't think this was well though tout. We need to stop trying to follow everything the US and others doing. They are a different kettle of fish.
  • @@@@@@ (25/02/2013, 16:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    no wonder the country is going to hell in a hand basket. there is no way this island can recover from what it has become. no justice for mothers who wish to go overseas, no peace
  • overseas (25/02/2013, 16:16) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I suppose the next thing will be where we can shop and what time BVIEC will be taking off the lights for the night.As for Mrs. Skelton she should think twice for if my memory serves me right all he children are US citizens and so is her grands. Did she relinquish her US CITIZENSHIP too. Come on! The people of the BVI would soon be in a communist country.
    • Well Sah (25/02/2013, 17:10) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mrs. Skelton is clearly telling you. What's good for the goose is not good for the gander. or Maybe its do as I say not as I do. lol
  • Watch and See (25/02/2013, 17:01) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This will be camel that break NDP's back
  • Well Sah (25/02/2013, 17:13) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ Vince in the U.S. the government is not taking away your private insurance if you have it and if you are happy with it. Therefore this is not following the U.S. this is their own thing they coming up with
  • Patriotic (25/02/2013, 20:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Isn'tthis against human rights law where one dont have freedom of choice when it comes to healthcare. ?
    • Bull (26/02/2013, 10:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      SO SO TRUE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE UNDER JAIL.. MAKING YOUR LIFE DECISIONS FOR YOU!!!
    • BVIHSA (27/02/2013, 07:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree Patriotic. They are saying that it is mandatory that persons sign on to this NHI and if you want to get your child overseas, there must be a referral/reasons before the NHI covers it. So why am I locked in to getting medical treatment here in the BVI. Why I MUST spend my money (paid to NHI) here in the BVI? When that same Health Minister was sick some time ago, I know he did not get his operation/treatment here and that goes for all the politician; NOT ONE OF THEM GOING IN THAT HOSPITAL but they going send me and you saying we don't have a choice.
  • Yes (25/02/2013, 21:41) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    You all keep talking bout island people tis the Filipinos who out there taking BVIslanders on a run for our money, country, jobs, fish, yard foul, iguanas, men, and on and on, and they so sly with it
    • @ (26/02/2013, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You so right! These dam Flips will take up anything that is not nail down and they doing it with that little smile, so sly. BVIslanders will find out!
  • not me (26/02/2013, 09:04) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I will take my LAST dollar and have my baby outside of the BVI, them wont kill me or my child...no sah...and the hurtful thing is when they are the one at fault they sweep stuff under the carpet ...NOT ME!
    • not me too (26/02/2013, 09:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      My friend nearly lost her life giving birth in that hospital AND.... her baby died too. She was not a high risk pregnancy either. She not from here so that was sweep under the carpet. I in with you. NOT ME TOO!
  • UPSET!!!! (26/02/2013, 10:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    this government and NDP IS JUST MESSING UP THE .....ING PLACE DOING EVERYTHING WRONG..
    WHY UALL TRYING TO CONTROL EVERYTHING.... AND THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.. YOU ALL ARE MAKING THE PEOLPE OF THE COUNTRY VERY UNHAPPY AND ANGREY!!!!!! SOMETHINGS NEED TO BE DONE THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING IN THE RIGHT WAY AT ALL... YOU ALL ARE NOT DEAL WITH THE BIGER FACTORS... ITS JUST KILLING ME TO SEE WHAT U ALL ARE DOING!!!!
  • t party (26/02/2013, 11:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    dat ah big bell lawd
  • Protest (27/02/2013, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHY DOESN'T ALL THOSE OPPOSED TO NHIS STAGE A MARCH AND PROTEST AGAINST IT. THERE NEEDS TO BE NUMBERS! VOCALLY ON AN ONLINE BLOG ONE CANNOT SEE THE NUMBERS! GOING TO A MEETING STILL IS NOT ENOUGH. IT IS LIKE WE ARE ANSWERING TO THEIR TERMS. WE NEED TO SET OUR OWN TERMS! WE NEED TO STOP BEING SO RELAXED AND STAND UP TO WHAT WE BELIEVE IN. THE HOSPITAL IS STILL NOT ACCREDITED. WHY SHOULD ANYONE WANT TO USE THEIR SERVICES AND THEY ARE NOT TO PAR?


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