NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (NHI)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is National Health Insurance?
A not-for-profit health plan in which members share the cost and benefits of quality healthcare.
2. Who will be members of NHI?
Membership will be mandatory for all legal residents of The Bahamas, regardless of age, income or health status. Tourists and illegal immigrants are not eligible for NHI and will have to pay for the healthcare services they receive.
3. Why does The Bahamas need NHI?
To assist persons in accessing and paying for healthcare and to assist the Government in meeting the health needs of the population.
4. How will NHI benefit me?
The NHI plan will cover costs for:
- outpatient visits
- prescription drugs
- Lab tests and imaging services
- in-hospital care
- overseas care for services not available locally and in emergency cases
- emergency transport for patients from the Family Islands
5. Who pays for NHI and how much will it cost?
The NHI plan will have 3 groups of contributors:
(1) workers, employers and the self-employed.
They will pay 5.3% of wages. This may be shared equally between employers and employees (2.65% each).
(2) Pensioners
It is proposed that pensioners contribute $1 per day.
(3) Government
The Government will pay contributions for children, qualifying low-income Bahamians and 50% of the contribution for its employees.
6. How will the NHI plan function?
- membership and contributions: After legislation, the National Insurance Board (NIB) will register members, issue membership cards, and collect contributions from the groups of contributors.
- Use of Health Services and payments: When care is needed, members will visit private or public providers for services in the benefit package. The NHI Office will pay all providers directly at an agreed public sector reference rate.
- Persons using private health facilities may be asked to make co-payments for their services. It is proposed that co-payments will not be required from patients treated at public health facilities.
7. When will the proposed NHI Plan start?
The NHI Plan is still in the design stage as there are some key actions which must be undertaken.
These include:
- Consultations with stakeholders and the public
- Preparation and passage of legislation
- Improvements in services provided by public health centres and hospitals
After this consultative phase is complete, a final review of the proposal will be undertaken.
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