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by pltm
(PLTM) - The October 2015 agreement with Florida-based company, JIPA Network, to provide access to thousands of preferred healthcare providers overseas, has come to an end after the company brought legal action against the Social Security Board (SSB) late last year over the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.
Full details on the lawsuit are not available for public inspection by the BVI High Court Registry; however, BVI Platinum News understands that JIPA is claiming that SSB breached the contract.
SSB officials were mum to provide further details on the lawsuit, but assured that residents’ access to healthcare overseas will not be affected in light of the recent developments.
Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Minister of Health and Social Development signed the agreement with Chief Executive Officer of JIPA Network, Dr. Kester Nedd D.O on October 1, 2015. The contract was not tendered.
JIPA Network is a premier association of healthcare providers which reaches throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America and the United States.
Opposition Leader, Hon. Julian Fraser has been pressing government for answers over the agreement during several sittings in the House of Assembly.
Over the weekend, as news came to light about the lawsuit, Hon. Fraser said, "I told you so."
"It was a marriage that could not last and it's not because it wasn't made in heaven. What was wrong with it is that it was too rich for our blood," he said.
Hon. Fraser further stated, "Say I told you the cost of healthcare utilizing the services of JIPA came close to double that of the cost to the provider. Was that news to NHI? You can say that after looking at responses to questions (HOA) regarding JIPA's rates."
The Opposition Leader said that he is not a prophet, "Far from one, but I was right when I told NHI that JIPA's rates were untenable."
At the time of signing the agreement, reporters were told that the JIPA Network has a multi-specialty network of over 16,000 providers, including diagnostic facilities, treatment centers and hospitals.
The network provides access to over 303,000 physicians, more than 5,000 hospitals, over 90,000 ancillary facilities and over 1 million healthcare professional service locations.
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