National Health Insurance Bahamas February 2016 Health Spending

National Health Insurance Bahamas February, 2016

Health Spending in The Bahamas We are spending more and more money on health care

Health Spending in The Caribbean High health spending, low life expectancy

Private Health Insurance Globally Private health insurance still used even with universal health care

What is NHI Bahamas? A new Government programme that ensures all legal Bahamian residents – no matter your income, age, island of residence or current health status – can receive health care free of cost at point of service. Cost for health care is paid for in full or in part, by Government.

Why do we Need NHI Bahamas? • Only 1/3 Bahamians have health insurance. • Average Bahamian household paying $2, 300 per year for health care. • Amongst those without health insurance, 32% have at some point needed medical treatment but did not seek help because they were worried about the cost. We MUST improve access and affordability of quality health care for our people to ensure health care for all.

Because… • Infant Mortality rates are still too high. • Highest Diabetes rate in the Caribbean. • High rates of Heart Disease and Cancer. • Low utilization of essential health services.

The Values of NHI Bahamas Three overarching values at the heart of all planning and policy-making decisions regarding health care for Bahamians. Modern. Affordable. Accessible.

NHI Bahamas is about Choice • You can choose your doctor from the public or private sector • You can choose your insurance provider

Health System Strengthening • HSS Goal is to ensure high quality of care • Initiatives aim to reduce waiting times, improve customer services, and enhance care quality through: • • • Extended clinic hours Updated infrastructure Improvements in emergency services Additional equipment Improvements in supply chain management, better medical technology, and training for medical staff

The Roadmap

Who is Covered? All legal residents of The Bahamas No matter if you are healthy or sick, older or young, employed or unemployed, low or high income.

What is Covered? Primary care: Care provided by your family doctor or other primary care professional

*In initial phases

1. Promotion Improving overall health by promoting healthy behaviours Examples: • Counselling for breastfeeding mothers • Monitoring and promoting nutrition, education and hygiene amongst children and young adults • Awareness on using health services for appropriate reasons

2. Prevention Preventing illness through lifestyle changes and early screening for disease Examples: • Counselling and prevention of obesity, tobacco use, heart disease, skin cancer, reproductive issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer, hepatitis, kidney disease • Immunizations/vaccines for children

3. Care Medical services to improve health and treat disease Examples: • • • Visits to your primary care doctor Diagnostics (labs and imaging) Many prescription medications Newborn care Treatment of minor illnesses

Those with Private Insurance • You do not have to give up your private insurance to register for NHI Bahamas • Your insurance plans may change when primary care phase begins as some of those services will be covered by NHI Bahamas

What’s Next? • Registration for your NIB Smart Card is on going • When the primary care phase begins, all legal Bahamian residents will have these services available to them free of cost. • Full benefits will be included in NHI Bahamas once the programme is fully implemented.