The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE National Health Insurance (NHI) Secretariat yesterday defended the establishment of a government owned and privately managed public insurer.

Damara Dillet, the NHI Secretariat’s legal consultant, said yesterday that based on having looked at other NHI models around the world, the public insurer is a critical component to NHI roll-out.

The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA), and its member life and health insurers, argued that creating the public insurer, to be known as Bahama Care, would be a great expense and waste of taxpayer monies by the Government, given that its role would be duplicated by the private sector.

“They did share their concerns about the public insurer but the Government has taken the opportunity to make the decision that is in the best interest of the Bahamian public.

“We have taken a look at models around the world and the public insurer is a critical and vital component to the NHI roll-out. I don’t know that there is an NHI plan that exists that excludes a public insurer,” said Ms Dillet.

She was speaking yesterday at the launch of a request for proposal (RFP) or services relating to the Public Insurer under the NHI plan. The NHI Secretariat said that the Government is seeking an experienced provider to provide third party management, administration and wellness services for beneficiaries and health providers registered with the Insurer.

“Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, claims and case management; health risk management; provision of data security; communications with NHI beneficiaries and health care providers; the creation, implementation and monitoring of a wellness programme; and the fiduciary management of NHI funds,” she said. Responses to the RFP are due no later than October 7.

“We hope that the process with the advice of our consultants KPMG will ensure that the best suited company is the one that is selected to manage the public insurer,” said Dillet. She noted that the public insurer will only administer NHI benefits.

“Any benefits above and beyond that we refer to is top-up or supplemental. That aspect will exclusively be available through the private insurance industry.

“The public insurer will not take part in that particular market,” said Ms Dillet.

Ms Dillet stressed that the public insure will fall under the regulatory ambit of The Bahamas Insurance Commission.

“The Insurance Commission has been clear on the mandate that whatever is done with the public insurer must fall in line with the regulations and precepts of the Insurance Commission,” she said.

Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary for the NHI Secretariat said yesterday that the public insurer is the best option for The Bahamas, stating: “A well managed public insure will drive a more cost effective, efficient, fair and accountable universal health coverage plan.”