The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Health Insurance Project Manager Dr Delon Brennen yesterday said the government is considering variations on its universal healthcare scheme that allows for a practical partnership between public sector and private sector medical resources.

Speaking as guest on KISS FM talk show “Ed Fields Live,” Dr Brennen suggested that the government has left the door open for consumers to determine to what extent they would use private health insurance “in addition to NHI”.

On Wednesday, Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) Chairman Emmanuel Komolafe warned employers and individuals against “prematurely” dropping private health schemes ahead of NHI’s introduction.

He told Tribune Business it was “extremely important” for the interests of those with private medical insurance that they support that coverage, as there was no guarantee that NHI would offer the same primary care benefits/services.

However, Dr Brennen stated: “There is some consideration being given to a public sector, private sector partnership. As it stands, to be fair, we can say there is a 50/50 private to public dynamic in existence. What we have done is say, we are willing to pay for you to go into the private sector to get your care.”

According to Dr Brennen, under the current public health system, a stroke patient can expect “general, emergency medical treatment” however supplemental aspects of care – physiotherapy, speech therapy, general follow-ups – are not covered.

NHI in its most basic incarnation proposes to cover this entire range of services; and in its most complete package, offer patients a chance to receive this entire range at the facility or doctor of their choice.

“You get to choose who your provider is going to be,” said Dr Brennen.

Additionally, he dismissed notions that in scheme variations being considered, doctors would be placed at a financial disadvantage as compared to earning potential before NHI’s implementation.

“Doctors at the moment are being under utilised because many can see more patients but they don’t because those patients can’t afford the fees one has to pay to see them.”

Dr Brennen said NHI, once established, will allow patients a chance to receive coverage that would enable them to visit the doctor or facility of their choice without the “high-priced” deductibles, co-pays and registration fees.

He also said the government hasn’t fully dismissed the notion of establishing NHI as a public model that could, in time, become a privatised entity operating with little to no interference by the state.

Dr Brennen said as it stands, the government views NHI as a chance for the insurance industry to widen its reach to include more Bahamians, insisting that as currently constituted, many Bahamians are unable to afford much needed medical care.

The National Insurance Board will begin NHI registration on January 18, despite criticism from some observers that the government has not released how much the plan will cost, the specific benefits that will be offered or how the plan will be funded in the long-term.