Zameer: MVR 500M will be saved with new Aasandha reform

Finance Minister Moosa Zameer states that the government will save MVR 500 million with the new reform to the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha, that introduced changes to the provision of services under the scheme to individuals with private insurance.

Under the new reform, individuals with private insurance seeking outpatient services will first be billed for their private insurance before Aasandha effective of November.

Speaking at Monday’s parliamentary sitting, Minister Zameer said the reform was implemented to minimize waste and ensure its benefits are reaped by citizens in most need of it.

Referring to remarks from lawmakers, the Minister noted that there are some confusion regarding the reforms being introduced to Aasandha. In this regard, he stressed that there will be no changes to services presently available to the general public despite the bulk procurement policy and the reforms to Aasandha that have been implemented and are in the pipeline. Henceforth, no additional expenses will be incurred from their own pockets, he added.

“However, as I have previously said, by resolving this leakage, we are expected to save approximately MVR 500 million as per current estimations,” he detailed.

The Finance Ministry has submitted a proposed budget of MR 56.6 billion for next year, with total expenditure expected to top MVR 49.2 billion. Aasandha makes up for 5.1 percent of the projected recurrent expenditure.

The 2025 budget book includes details of more Aasandha reforms the administration plans to roll out next year.

According to the budget book, patients belonging to the top income group will either be charged a specific amount for medicine and outpatient services or will need to bear the whole cost on their own.

Meanwhile, patients who pay income tax will be charged a pre-payment for Aasandha, so they can contribute towards financing the scheme.

The Finance Ministry expects the reforms will help cut down spending on Aasandha.

Additional reforms planned for next year include setting and harmonizing package rates for services from private hospitals and medical facilities.