The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE National Health Insurance Secretariat will next week begin a crucial round of talks with medical providers concerning compensation and the primary healthcare benefits package, according to a statement from the secretariat yesterday.

The “information sessions” will also focus on provider reimbursement mechanisms, fee schedule and the registration process for providers.

This secretariat said these sessions mark the second phase of the NHI process: enrolment.

The meetings will occur with primary care physicians on the islands of New Providence from December 6-7, Grand Bahama and Abaco on December 8.

The secretariat said it has met with doctors and medical representatives in the past several months to “define and finalise” portions of the primary healthcare benefits package, whose roll out will be the initial phase of NHI.

“The purpose,” the secretariat said, “of these sessions next week is to serve as structured events to engage with the wider primary care physician community, on services that will be offered through NHI Bahamas, reimbursements models, including fee-for-service and capitation models, and to facilitate provider participation in the NHI Bahamas plan.”

Dr Delon Brennen, NHI project manager, said: “We are aware that many providers are excited to register and provide serves to the Bahamian people. They will play a key role in shaping a health care system that is modern, affordable and accessible.”

The secretariat added: “A number of principles were used to develop the reimbursement structure for NHI Bahamas to support the benefits package and ensure that physicians receive compensation that is fair, simple, evidence-based, dynamic and offers choice to providers.

“The NHI Secretariat is confident that it has achieved the right balance in developing reimbursement models that are in line with the government’s commitment to fund the primary care phase of NHI Bahamas at a cost of $100 million per year.

“With these provider information sessions occurring next week, the Bahamian people are now one step closer to being able to select their preferred primary healthcare providers - in the public or private sector - and becoming recipients of benefits under NHI Bahamas. In order to participate in this process, the NHI Secretariat encourages members of the public to be sure to register for your new NIB smart card and stay tuned for more information on how to prepare for enrolment in the New Year.”