BHeC Release National Health Accounts Report
The Bermuda Health Council [BHeC] today [Oct 10] released the National Health Accounts Report, which details health system costs for the fiscal year ending 31st March 2012.
The National Health Accounts Report provides a breakdown of where the money has come from to pay for the health system, and what that money was spent on. The publication provides information necessary to understand, measure and assess our health system. A 2-page ‘in brief’ version is here [PDF].
Some of the key findings of the Report are:
- Bermuda’s total health spending was $678.4 million
- This amounted to 12.2% of GDP
- Health expenditure per person was $10,562
- 70% of financing was from the private sector [$475.8 million]
- 30% of financing was from the public sector [$202.6 million]
- Health insurance accounted for 56% of financing sources [$379.2 million]
- Individual out-of-pocket payments represented 13% of funding [$91 million]
- The Bermuda Hospitals Board accounted for 44% of total health expenditure
- Overseas Care accounted for 13% of total health expenditure
- Private, local health providers accounted for 23% of total health expenditure
- Prescription drugs represented 7% of total health spending
- Total health spending remained constant from FYE 2011, when total expenditure was $678.9 million, representing 11.8% GDP; and per person expenditure was $10,570.
Dr. Jennifer Attride-Stirling, Chief Executive Officer of the BHeC, commented: “We are proud to bring to the public the fourth National Health Accounts. It is a report of tremendous value to the health system as it enables us to track trends in health funding and spending across time, and to benchmark us to other countries.
“We are unique among many small island states in being able to produce such accounts. This year’s findings are encouraging in terms of health costs beginning to stabilize. It is a common trend given the current economic environment. However, the proportion of GDP dedicated to health costs continues to increase, highlighting the need to continue all efforts to control health spending and utilization.”
Graph, extracted from the Report, showing per capita health expenditure from 2006 – 2012:
Dr. Michelle Ye, Health Economist of the Bermuda Health Council, commented: “The National Health Accounts is a report of fundamental importance, forming the basis of much health system analyses. The production of annual National Health Accounts is one example that highlights Bermuda’s determination and steady achievements in the area of evidence-based policy-making. BHeC is grateful for all the support received for facilitating awareness, transparency and understanding.”
Jeanne Atherden, BHeC Chairman, commented: “The Bermuda Health Council was established, in part, to monitor health system costs and trends. Publication of the fourth National Health Accounts Report is in keeping with this mandate and enhances policy makers abilities to make evidence-based decisions to improve our health system. To ensure these findings are accessible to stakeholders and the public, BHeC has also made available a two-page “In Brief” summary of the key findings alongside the full, technical report. The National Health Accounts In Brief is especially relevant for the general public, who are impacted by health costs on a day-to-day basis and may find the format more user-friendly.”
The full National Health Accounts Report is below [PDF here]:
Should this not be the NHA Report 2012?
Highest per capita spending in the world must mean we have the best healthcare system in the world!!