Health Minister: No Increase In Premium Rate
The Minister of Health Kim Wilson wishes to remind the public that there will be no increase to the premium for the mandated package of insurance or to HIP or FutureCare premiums in 2019.
Minister Wilson said, “The Standard Premium Rate is the premium for the basic set of services required to be part of your health insurance policy. This requirements has been in law since 1970 [Standard Health Benefit]. This premium and the services it pays for will not change during this year. With no change in the price of this care, there should be zero impact on your insurance premiums.
“To make this possible, the Government is streamlining the way hospital services are funded. We are moving to a more efficient method of funding that ensures your healthcare premiums are used only to pay for healthcare. Accordingly, the portion of your premiums that have always been priced in your insurance policies to pay for your hospital care will be paid directly to the hospital.
“This change to a more efficient payment model ensures your standard health benefit is protected; it prevented a standard premium increase, and created fiscal space to invest in chronic disease management programmes.
“The Government advises the public to be alert of the zero premium increase and exercise their consumer rights to demand likewise from the market.”
“The Government advises the public to be alert of the zero premium increase and exercise their consumer rights to demand likewise from the market.”
Then the PLP shouldn’t have raised the FST in the last budget which they acknowledged they can’t prevent from being passed down to policy holders.
“The Government advises the public to be alert of the zero premium increase and exercise their consumer rights to demand likewise from the market.”
Why? We’re not allowed to spend our money on improved healthcare insurance? What business is that of hers?
How dare you! That is the Government’s money you are talking about spending!
Is the Honorable Minister prepared to answer questions regarding how the sugar tax is being spent?
“The Government advises the public to be alert of the zero premium increase and exercise their consumer rights to demand likewise from the market.”
Ok, but what if my insurer has different claims experience than Government?
Will Government give me the same coverage for the same premium and promise that my coverage will not alter and my premium will not increase greater than the rate of inflation?
She is clueless. The real problem are the charges of the various providers especially doctors, followed bu the referrals to their friends. Co pay is unregulated and so if the schedule price is say $100 the insurance pays that, but the doctor can charge $300 leaving the patient to pay $200. Regulate that Minister Wilson. Know what you are talking about and do something useful.
Actually, she is not clueless at all. She is one of the smartest members of Cabinet. She is simply doing her job.