New Benefits to be added to the NHFCard Programme
Dr. the Hon. Christoper Tufton, M.P., minister of health and wellness on Tuesday, January 17, 2022 announced new benefits to be added to the NHFCard Programme effective February 2023, during a Press Conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
The Minister detailed the following:
- Eight conditions, namely Hypertension, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Vascular Disease, Diabetes, Psychosis, Glaucoma, Sickle Cell Disease and Epilepsy will see an increase in subsidies for medications.
- New active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) will be added for Arthritis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Breast Cancer, Hypertension and Ischaemic Heart Disease.
- JADEP beneficiaries will also benefit from the addition of new APIs for the treatment of Arthritis, Asthma, Glaucoma, Hypertension and Vascular Disease.
- A diagnostic test for Prostate Cancer, the PSA or prostate specific antigen test, will become available once per year to every beneficiary over 40.
In the last fiscal year five conditions accounted for 78% of the total NHFCard subsidy payment. Diabetes accounted for 30% of the total subsidy, followed by hypertension - 24%, high cholesterol - 11.3%; prostate cancer - 7% and glaucoma - 6%. These represent five of the eight conditions that will enjoy new benefits.
The addition of the PSA test brings the total diagnostic tests subsidized by the Fund to three. The others are the HbA1C test, and the Breast receptor studies. The increase in subsidies will increase the overall subsidy rate on the NHFCard programme from 42% to 47% of the cost of the drugs. The benefits will be installed on a phased basis over the next four months.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr the Hon Christopher Tufton [second left] is flanked by other members of the Head Table at the NHF New Benefits Press Conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. With him are [L-R], Acting Board Chairman, Shane Dalling, Chief Executive Officer – NHF, Everton Anderson, and Senior Director of ICT, Benefits and Research - NHF, Mrs. Anne Logan.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. The Hon Christopher Tufton delivering his keynote address at the NHF New Benefits Press Conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
Shane Dalling, Acting Board Chairman of the NHF delivered remarks.
CEO of the National Health Fund, Everton Anderson addressing the audience at the NHF New Benefits Press Conference held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
CEO Everton Anderson [second left] is photographed with [L-R] Dr Brian James, president of the medical association of Jamaica, Deborah Chen, executive director of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, and Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, Michael Leslie at the NHF New Benefits Press Conference held on Tuesday, January, 17, 2023.
