Aasandha Company Limited has resumed providing insurance services under the national health insurance scheme for outpatient services for individuals with private insurance.
As part of the government's efforts to reform Aasandha and reduce wastage in the health insurance system, outpatient services coverage under Aasandha for those with private insurance was removed last year. The change meant that those with private insurance could only request for Aasandha coverage once their private insurance was fully exhausted. However, the decision has now been reversed by Aasandha due to public concerns.
On Wednesday, Aasandha resumed covering outpatient services for those with private insurance. According to Aasandha, despite this change, service fees will first be deducted from private insurance before Aasandha insurance is utilised for those with private insurance. For consultations, the consultation fee will be deducted from private insurance with the balance amount covered under Aasandha.
According to Aasandha, coverage for other outpatient service will commence on 27 April. The same policy would be apply even these cases, where the initial payment will be billed from private insurance and Aasandha covering any remaining costs. This change is also part of the company's efforts to reform the health insurance scheme.
Aasandha is one of the most financially demanding government schemes costing over USD 6.5 million annually in the form of subsidies due to mismanagement of the health insurance system. Therefore, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is actively working to reform Aasandha to reduce the waste within the system.
The government has already introduced several cost-cutting measures, including overhauling the subsidy system. The current universal subsidy will be abolished and subsidies will be targeted towards those most in need.