The National Health Insurance Act is now effective as of April 5, providing for the establishment of an NHI Authority (NHIA), which would allow contracts to be executed with primary care providers.
For the first round of primary care provider registration, the NHI Secretariat recently stated that over 60 physicians in the private sector signed up for NHI to provide primary care services. The numbers are expected to be further augmented by primary care providers in the public sector.
The launch of the $100 million primary care phase is expected to occur at the end of this month.
According to a statement, "The National Health Insurance Act came into force April 5th, 2017. This enables the minister responsible for NHI, Prime Minister Perry G. Christie, to establish the NHI Authority; bring on board staff to run the authority; as well as enable the execution of contracts with primary care providers."
The statement pointed out that the NHIA would be extending job offers to Bahamians. "Offers that are being prepared for an immediate start include customer services representatives, finance officers, information technology staff, facilities management, benefits management, and quality management," the statement said.
NHI Project Manager Dr. Delon Brennen said, "The establishment of the NHIA highlights the continued commitment to the Bahamian people to make modern, affordable and accessible health care services a reality. Moreover, the legal establishment of the body that will usher in the provision of NHI Bahamas will move our country closer to achieving universal health coverage."
Permanent Secretary of the NHI Secretariat Peter Deveaux-Isaacs said the act being brought into force "marks another significant milestone" for the continued implementation of NHI.
"We know the Bahamian people are eager to enroll, and we too are excited to launch phase two of enrollment this month. More details of when and how to enroll will come in short order," said Deveaux-Isaacs.

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