Rush to pay NHIP

by Vivian Tyson -SUN Senior Editor

In a bid to avoid hefty fines, employers and self employed persons are scrambling to make their National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) payment, prompting that organization to announce that payment has exceeded its expectation.

Paying the NHIP is mandatory and failure to make payment attracts heavy fines. The benefits of the plan come into effect in April of 2009, to coincide with the opening of the two news hospitals to be operated by InterHealth Canada. A report from the Governor’s Office indicated that by the end of December, total enrollment should surpass 18,000, a figure which is said to include dependents.
According to the Governor’s Office, so far, approximately 450 self-employed persons have registered, 235 of whom have opted to pay the $250 maximum per month. The rest, the Governor’s office noted, have provided evidence of income that allows them to pay either $150 or $50 per month. 

“This level of overall support, which is slightly better than anticipated in the latest actuarial report, means that the NHIP will be well placed to meet its obligations to pay for the monthly Clinical Services element of the contract once both hospitals open for business in April 2010,” the report indicated.

Meanwhile, the Government is expected to employ 270 personnel for both hospitals having already kick-started its recruitment exercise. Of the 270 employees, 202 are expected to be full-fledged healthcare providers.

“This number is necessary to provide the improved and extended level of healthcare built into the contract, and including experts on maintenance,” the Governor’s office noted.

Originally, it was indicated that InterHealth Canada would run the facility for 25 years and then turn it over to Government ownership. However, the latest report indicated that the organization would run the facility for 23 years.

The hospital in Grand Turk was handed over to InterHealth Canada (ICL) on Monday, November 30, and the outfitting process of the facility has begun. The Providenciales Hospital is expected to be handed over on Monday, December 21.

The Governors office noted that InterHealth Canada is in the course of arranging a series of open days to allow the Advisory Council, Consultative Forum and members of the public to view the facilities.

In the meantime, the NHIB has opened two data rooms allowing members of the public to view details of the contract and user guide.  A restriction of one hour was originally placed on the time allowed to view the documents in order that the anticipated demand could be met. However, this restriction was withdrawn as a result of the low viewer turn-out.