$7.5M NHI Stimulus Expended As Healthcare Providers Get Paid
After being six months behind, the National Health Insurance (NHI) has paid several of its outstanding amounts to healthcare providers.
The Government had allocated $7.5M to NHI as part of a COVID-19 economic stimulus plan.
Hon. Vincent Wheatley, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration told the House of Assembly on Tuesday, September 21 that the funds had been expended.
"Prior to the provision of the grant funding, payments to Providers were 6 months behind. Providers are now paid up to July 2020. To date, the $7.5 Million stimulus for NHI support have been expended," said Hon. Wheatley who has responsibility for NHI.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) has been operating at a loss. Roy Barry, Deputy Director, Social Security Board, NHI, told Legislators last year at October 31, 2019 the NHI revenue amounted to $73.03M and incurred expenditure totalling $79.49M, resulting in a net operating deficit of $6.46M.
NHI has grappled with unpaid claims in the millions at various points of operations, leaving the Government to search for ways to save it from total collapse.
Hon. Wheatley indicated that there have been meetings with providers.
"Mr. Speaker, as it concerns NHI, following a series of meetings with local network providers, the new protocols for evaluation, management and billing were implemented effective January 1, 2020. NHI continues to evaluate the system to find ways to reduce its claim expenses, while at the same time responding to its beneficiaries’ needs in an effective and efficient manner," Hon. Wheatley stated.
Hon. Vincent Wheatley, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration told the House of Assembly on Tuesday, September 21 that the funds had been expended.
"Prior to the provision of the grant funding, payments to Providers were 6 months behind. Providers are now paid up to July 2020. To date, the $7.5 Million stimulus for NHI support have been expended," said Hon. Wheatley who has responsibility for NHI.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) has been operating at a loss. Roy Barry, Deputy Director, Social Security Board, NHI, told Legislators last year at October 31, 2019 the NHI revenue amounted to $73.03M and incurred expenditure totalling $79.49M, resulting in a net operating deficit of $6.46M.
NHI has grappled with unpaid claims in the millions at various points of operations, leaving the Government to search for ways to save it from total collapse.
Hon. Wheatley indicated that there have been meetings with providers.
"Mr. Speaker, as it concerns NHI, following a series of meetings with local network providers, the new protocols for evaluation, management and billing were implemented effective January 1, 2020. NHI continues to evaluate the system to find ways to reduce its claim expenses, while at the same time responding to its beneficiaries’ needs in an effective and efficient manner," Hon. Wheatley stated.
