Hashtag: #HealthInsurance
Column: Healthcare Costs, Reform & More
[Opinion column written by OBA’s Dwayne Robinson] The cost of living continues to increase around the world due to inflation and countries are grappling with this differently. There is no quick fix to this multi-faceted issue, and it will require effective leadership to navigate. The cause of one of the biggest dents in Bermudians’ pocket is the... Read more of this article
Employers Compliance With Health Insurance
Companies with 10 or fewer employees are the majority of businesses reported by insurers as non-compliant, small businesses state “they struggle to afford their monthly health insurance premium” and the ”recent trend of employers transitioning to less expensive plans may result in an increase in compliance over time. ” This... Read more of this article
Health Minister On SHB & Hamilton Medical
Noting that she is “fully aware of the ongoing media and social media commentary regarding the Hamilton Medical Centre and Dr JJ Soares seeking Standard Health Benefit [SHB] approval,” Minister of Health Kim Wilson said that “as the matter is currently under reconsideration, I am unable to provide substantive comments.” This... Read more of this article
HIP And FutureCare Billing Statements Delayed
The Health Insurance Department advised “all HIP and FutureCare participants that April billing statements have not been generated and mailed out as yet as a result of an invoice software issue.” A Government spokesperson said, “In addition, participants who currently pay their monthly premiums via direct debit will note that the payment... Read more of this article
Health Council’s ‘Non-Compliant’ Employers’ List
The Bermuda Health Council has released the list of “Non-Compliant Employers” on their website, with the Health Council reminding “employers of shared responsibility for health insurance coverage.” A spokesperson said, “Since June 2015, the Bermuda Health Council [the “Health Council”] was granted the right to publish... Read more of this article
Column: Kempe On Insurance, Taxes & Fees
[Opinion column written by OBA Chairperson Catherine Kempe] “Mr. Speaker, there are no other meaningful increases to the cost of government services or other fees and taxes. There is a fragility to local finances that cannot be further strained by increased taxes.” – Curtis Dickinson, Minister of Finance, Budget Statement February 26, 2021. Let’s... Read more of this article
BPSU On Standard Premium Rate Increase
“The Government is faced with many challenges due to the pandemic and are forced to make some very difficult decisions as a result,” the BPSU said, adding that “this, however, does not negate the requirement for proper consultation with community stakeholders.” Bermuda Public Services Union [BPSU] President Armell Thomas said,... Read more of this article
$45 Increase In The Standard Premium Rate
“There will be a $45 increase in the Standard Premium Rate representing a 13.6% increase,” Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, adding that “the loss of insured adults due to unemployment or emigration is real” and “we have seen businesses and individuals terminate their more expensive private health insurance policies... Read more of this article
Hamilton Medical Centre Granted SHB
The Hamilton Medical Centre announced that the Supreme Court overturned the refusal of the Bermuda Health Council to grant Standard Health Benefit [SHB] to them, which they called a “judgment in favour of HIP and FutureCare patients, who stand to benefit the most by having coverage at our state-of-the-art facility.” A spokesperson said, “The... Read more of this article
BMDA On Argus Acquisition Of Medical Practices
“Our disappointment was not because of the sale itself, but because Argus stated that one of the reasons for doing it was to help to better the healthcare of the Island,” the Bermuda Medical Doctors Association said, adding that “a statement that says it ‘will benefit all’, but blatantly only benefits a few, is contradictory... Read more of this article
Govt’s Goal Remains Universal Health Coverage
“Before the emergency orders arose in response to COVID-19, this government was working on reforms to our health system,” Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, adding that “universal health coverage remains the Government’s commitment and goal.” Minister Wilson said, “By now the majority of Bermuda would have heard of the... Read more of this article
Argus Acquires Island Health & Family Practice
Saying that it is “part of its strategy to diversify its operations and develop a business model that drives up quality of healthcare while seeking to drive down costs,” Argus Group today announced the “acquisition of primary care medical practices, Island Health Services and the Family Practice Group.” “This investment... Read more of this article
HID: Walk-In Customers For Certain Services
The Health Insurance Department [HID] is “accepting walk-in customers for cash premium payments as well as new enrollment applications only,” and all walk-in customers must wear masks. A government spokesperson said, “The HID office is staffed with a reduced complement of employees to facilitate walk-in customers. “HID is located... Read more of this article
