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Newborns can be without healthcare benefits for months if not registered with NHI on time

The building that houses NHI offices

Newborns or infants new to the territory could be without healthcare benefits for as long as three months if parents fail to register them with the National Health Insurance (NHI) on time

The NHI gave that indication in a recently published newsletter while informing parents how to properly register their babies.

“In order to avoid the three-month penalty, have your baby registered within his or her first month. The penalty stipulates that the beneficiary will not have access to his or her healthcare benefits until three months after the effective registration date,” said the NHI who exempts children from making contributions to its health scheme.

“Older infants and children who are new to the territory should also be registered within 30 days of their arrival to the territory to avoid the three-month penalty,” the NHI added.

Three-step process

A three-step process is required to successfully register an infant.

This process includes retrieving a Child Registration Form from the NHI’s website or a physical copy from their office and filling it out, attaching the necessary documents, and submitting both the form and documents to the NHI office.

The documents required include the child’s birth certificate and proof of Immigration status.

“This (proof of Immigration status) includes a valid passport, Belonger’s or residence certificate or card, or a letter from the Civil Registry & Passport Office, and in some instances, a letter from your child’s daycare.”

Once a parent is successful with their registration process, their child will be granted an NHI Smart Card. This card will not feature any photographs for children under five years of age.

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8 Comments

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  1. Thought says:

    If not already in place it may be a good thing if the policies/ procedures would be amended so that a child would be automatically covered by a parent’s coverage IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY and whereas the parent would automatically be obligated to provide proof that the child attended would have otherwise qualified. Failure to do so within an established soul trigger penalties against the parent. This way we would not have a child suffer because a parent would be apprehensive in seeking medics attention because they failed to perfect the documentation. Medical practitioners would also not have to make humanitarian decisions under such circumstances.

    Like 11
  2. LOL says:

    THIS REMINDS ME OF A DEATH SENTENCE

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  3. Reality says:

    Please make it clear that it is proof of Immigration status of parents.

  4. Hmmm says:

    So what if your baby is born sick? Is there temporary coverage for the child provided under the parent’s policy?

  5. Dan Zaharie says:

    What a s**t disaster the NHI is going to be

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  6. Oh my goodness says:

    I think sometimes these articles headings are misleading. All NHI is saying that you have up to one month after birth to register your baby which is the requirement of most insurance companies if not all. Failure to do so that is if you register your baby after that one month you will have to wait 3 months before the child is eligible for coverage. Within that first month in case of emergency or if the baby born sick as someone asked, yes the baby is covered under the mother. I wish people will read and understand.

  7. Zodwa says:

    Another way to suck taxpayers dry

  8. April Glasgow says:

    Important to note, is that before most parents register babies with National Health Insurance, they take their babies to the BVIHSA’s clinics and hospital where they receive FREE healthcare. Please see Hospital Regulations,2014 that outlines the patient groups who are not required to pay -https://issuu.com/bvibeacon/docs/hospital_regulations_2014

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