Provide financial assistance to patients of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and/or their families who have insufficient or no income to access prescribed medical procedures and/or treatments at PMH, or at satellite Public Health Clinics in New Providence and on the Family Islands.


Note: Depending on the amount of Financial Assistance being requested for medical procedures and or treatments, patients of PMH and/or the applicants on behalf of the patients MUST be able to defray a percentage of the medical bill and/or commit to a payment plan with the Business Office at PMH. Patients at PMH/clinics may qualify for Emergency Food Assistance (EFA) while their Financial Assistance requests are being processed.


Eligibility 
  • Patients of PMH/clinic and/or the applicants on behalf of the patients MUST be Bahamian citizen or permanent resident.
  • ALL applicants of PMH/clinics or persons applying on their behalf MUST be over the age of 18.
  • Patients of PMH/clinic, and/or persons applying on their behalf must be earning minimum wage or lower or should have insufficient or no income to access prescribed medical procedures and/or treatments.
Process 
  1. The applicant makes a request at the Health Social Services (HSS) Division at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
  2. The Social Service Representative (SSR) conducts a needs assessment interview to assess the patient’s eligibility or the eligibility of the applicant on behalf of the patient.
  3. The SSR completes a Social History Report (SHR) and a recommendation is made about patient’s or applicant’s eligibility. If applicable, the SSR also submits a letter to the Financial Controller at PMH to request additional Financial Assistance for the patient or applicant via Public Hospital Authority (PHA). To this end, patients of PMH and/or the applicant on behalf of the patients MUST be able to defray a percentage of the medical bill and/or commit to a payment plan with the Business Office at PMH.
  4. The SSR informs the patient or the applicant of eligibility.

Family Island applicants may apply for this service at the local DOSS sub-office on the island where they are domiciled or they may apply online. The SSR will contact them  to implement steps to assess their eligibility for this service.

 

Applicants in Grand Bahama have the option to apply directly to the Rand Hospital for this service.

 

Note: This service requires input from the Publi Hospitals Authority (PHA).

 

Application Form(s) 

The application is the Social History Report (SHR), which MUST BE COMPLETED in-office at PMH by a SSR.

Supporting Documents 

For Citizens:

  • Valid Passport or Voter’s Card of the patient and the applicant.
  • Valid N.I.B. Card of the patient and the applicant.
  • Birth Certificate/Affidavit or Valid Passport of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and Proof of Guardianship.
  • Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Card Registration Number.
  • Letter of Referral from the attending physician at PMH or Public Health Clinic.
  • Copies of prescriptions.

For Permanent Residents (Non-Citizens):

  • Proof of Citizenship/Permanent Residency the patient and the applicant.
  • Valid Work Permit.
  • Valid N.I.B. Card of the patient and the applicant.
  • Birth Certificate/Affidavit or Valid Passport of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and Proof of Guardianship.
  • Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Card Registration Number.
  • Letter of Referral from the attending physician at PMH or Public Health Clinic.
  • Copies of prescriptions.
Turn-around time 
SSR makes contact within three (3) days of completing the application (Intake). The request is processed within (3) three weeks of contact. The client is notified by SSR of extended processing time or queries, if any. SSR advises of outcome. Depending on the nature and urgency of the medical procedure and/or treatment and, when applicable, in collaboration of the Financial Controller at PMH, requests may be processed within one (1) to ten (10) working days.
Deadline 
There are NO deadlines for this service.
Related Fee(s) 

There are NO FEES associated with this service.

For more information please contact 

Health Social Services Division at Princess Margaret Hospital
Sassoon Building
Shirley Street
Nassau
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-3350
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 

Department of Social Services
Sunshine Plaza
Baillou Hill Road
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
P.O. Box N-1545
Tel: (242) 604-4200/1 
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 
© 2011 The Official Website of the Government of The Bahamas.
All rights reserved.