NHI frustrations still high; Some persons still cannot access cards
One woman was peeved that she had to line up for a long time just to get her card, as this news site made a visit to the NHI office today January 5, 2016.
“I have to go to the doctor tomorrow and I need my card. I can’t go without my card,” she fumed.
One staff member said there was no dedicated employee dealing with the issuing of cards and that this had to be done by people also executing other duties.
“We are standing out here like beggars. You can issue the cards by checking our faces,” said one woman who was clearly frustrated with the long wait.
Another employee of NHI said the system experienced a breakdown and as a result some persons’ photographs got deleted from the system.
“All the photos taken got lost. The system was down. Persons had to be re-photographed. Some of the cards have not been printed as yet,” said the employee.
The NHI is sustainable
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton said the NHI has been studied and was found to be sustainable provided inherent risks are managed.
“Legitimate concerns were raised regarding the medium to long-term solvency of the NHI Fund,” said the minister through a Government issued press release.
“I am pleased to say that a new actuarial study has been completed and its projections are consistent with the NHI Financial Model Report prepared in 2012. Both reports showed the Fund to be sustainable, provided that its inherent risks are managed skilfully. I will shortly be seeking authorisation from the Cabinet to table these reports in the House of Assembly,” he said.
He noted that various risk management mechanisms are built in to the NHI design, including reinsurance to protect against catastrophic claims over Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand dollars ($250,000.00). “After evaluating three tenders, an agreement has been reached with Caribbean Insurers (Health) Limited to provide reinsurance coverage in affiliation with international partners with effect from January 1, 2016.”
He expressed gratitude to local insurance agencies for participating in the tender process, and for accommodating the needs of residents who wish to purchase supplemental health insurance policies. “Supplemental policies may be used to defray out-of-pocket expenses on co-payments and additional billing when annual limits have been exceeded; or in cases where the fees charged by private healthcare providers exceed NHI rates,” said the Minister.
“The following providers have signed Participating Partner Agreements and are now a part of the NHI network:
B&F Medical Complex Ltd.
Dr K. P. Anderson Ltd.
Premier Dental
BVI Health Services Authority
Dr Dawn Bain Medical Office
VI Medical Clinic
Dr Marvin Flax of Crown Dental
PicSmith Medical Services
Eureka Medical Clinic
Bougainvillea Clinic Limited
Penn Medical Center Inc.
Medicure Limited
Tortola Vision Center
Therapy Works BVI Limited; and
Therapy Works Virgin Gorda Limited
Rhymer’s Dental Care
Dr Juan Rhymer
Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Apex Medical Center
Julien Physical Therapy
Wellness PTS
Vanterpool Enterprises
Arrangements are also in place for residents to access specialised healthcare overseas on referral, or in cases of emergency when travelling abroad. An Agreement with the Florida-based JIPA Network and its affiliation with Aetna, Inc. and other international partners provides preferred access to hundreds of high quality medical facilities in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States. Through an affiliation with Europ Assistance, world-wide medical assistance will be provided in emergencies.
Review Committee scrapped
The Minister said that the NHI pre-authorisations for overseas transfers will be managed by an in-house Medical Director, in consultation with the patient's referring physician and overseas specialists. “The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Irad Potter, will perform the duties of NHI Medical Director while recruitment continues for a full-time Medical Director. After consideration of public concerns and widespread misinformation, the decision was taken not to establish a Medical Review Committee,” he said.
“We will continue to engage with private insurance companies, healthcare providers and other key partners to monitor utilisation and make any further adjustments necessary to improve the NHI System as we move forward together,” said the Minister.
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37 Responses to “NHI frustrations still high; Some persons still cannot access cards”
I hope that they get a medical person soon.Dr Potter is not the one to have there.
There's no out of pocket maximum, so if you have to go overseas that's 20% of the bill out of your pocket with no cut off.
Better hope you don't have a million dollar treatment plan...
R>>>>E THEM IS THE DEVIL THEM REAL TALK THEM ARE NOT REAL IF YOU IS A VIBES PERSON YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THEM
My people of the BVI do not be fooled by this sugar coated promises of the minister of health. When you go to the Public Health service provider, that is the hospital and clinics it would be better to obtain your own of materials that are being used at the facilities because you are being billed for every piece of cotton, syringe and needle that are used.
It is high time for the Health Service Authority get rid of pastor John Cline and use the salary to assist to defray the cost of the hospital services.
Monthly Monthly Premiums of Employees
7000 - $262.5
8000 - $300
9000 - $337.5
10000 - $375
11000 - $412.5
12000 - $450
13000- $487.5
14000 - $525
15000 - $562.50
16000 - $600.00
17000 - $637.50
18000 - $675
19000 - $712.5
20000 - $750
21000 - $787.5
22000 - $825
Hon. Ministry, the reality is this, the Government is trying to get as much person on board or registered, but masses work for a very small monthly salary. With the system as is, I don't think it would be very sustainable.