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  by pltm
• Sep 19, 2016
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(PLTM) - As a means of creating an avenue where persons can easily access healthcare and medication, the government of the British Virgin Islands implemented the National Health Insurance (NHI), a scheme intended to bring about opportunities for persons to easily and cheaply receive the medical attention they require. The scheme, which was originally launched in January of this year, is one that was designed to provide affordable universal healthcare to persons of the BVI, all while providing a dedicated source of funds for strengthening the local healthcare system. With over $50M being allocated to the longevity of the programme, one of the main features of the fund is the copay. Registrants seeking medical assistance, both in terms of doctor care/visits and medication, are expected to pay only a percentage of the end cost---a copay. The percentage an individual is subjected to pay varies, depending on the establishment one is seeking such assistance from. As outlined by NHI, as a result of services rendered or medications received from the Peebles Hospital, registrants of the scheme are required to pay 5% of the end cost, 10% of the end cost is paid to local provides in the NHI network, while 20% is paid to local providers out of the NHI network, as well as to overseas provides in the network. A total of 40% is required to be paid to overseas providers who are outside of the network. Many claim that the introduction of such an arrangement has served as an encouragement for local healthcare providers who are registered with the network to raise their prices on their products and services. This allegation, which has made its way to be a national disappointment, is said to be one that is continuously being ignored by both the operators and the legislators, who are the ones behind the works of the scheme. As far as the allegations go, persons have informed BVI Platinum News that medications have seen a massive increase in price for no apparent reason. This increase, by no doubt, has affected how much the consumers pay and how much the government is responsible for. As an example, a NHI registrant who wished to be unnamed, disclosed that in a conversation with another individual who she met in a doctor’s office, while speaking about a specific medication, she discovered that she was paying significantly more money for that drug than the other person was paying at another pharmacy. “I don’t understand how this can be, because I know for a fact both of them had it for the same price, but I didn’t buy it there [the other pharmacy] because it’s not very friendly and welcoming.” She noted that they both were paying 10% copay. Many persons have informed BVI Platinum News of similar experiences where they were subjected at some point to pay a significant amount in copay, due to the price increases in services and products offered by local businesses, only to soon after learn of the exact product or service being offered at a cheaper price with copay at another business. “Copay is supposed to be a huge help to us. It was supposed to make things easy on us to get healthcare, but these businesses raising their prices, taking advantage of the whole thing,” said a concerned local. A number of persons also highlighted a particular healthcare establishment that had a very obvious and significant increase in its price for doctor visits. “I think the scariest part is that there is a possibility we may pay these increases on our own, because we have to sign a paper saying that we are responsible for payment if NHI refused to pay. These increases are ridiculous and we know why it happened, because everything went up just after NHI started.” Persons have begun to plead with NHI to address the issue, but their approaches have been met with unfavourable to no responses at all. This is according to local consumers. BVI Platinum News has faced a similar response, as all inquiries to persons in direct command of the operation have provide futile. As a solution to the issue, persons have shared their intentions to suggest to the heads of NHI, the introduction of a price ceiling for various mainstream medications. However, Alred Frett of B&F Medical said such a condition will be disastrous for the patients. “Unless NHI is a manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer, it is difficult to say. Considering the lack of control within the foreign pharmaceuticals industry, how they can implement such a condition. without it being disastrous for the patients.” As it relates to the overall issue he said, “I try not to speak for other providers as they should know the rational for their actions. What we [B&F] try to do is to operate within the guidelines provided by the NHI.” Other healthcare providers chose to abstain from commenting on the matter.