According to all information, the National Health Insurance Bill will be signed into operation today by the State President.
The bill, in its current format, makes provisions for implementation in two phases.
The bill was already tabled in 2019, and it is anticipated that the transitional arrangements in the final bill will have the dates amended for implementation.
In the current format, the implementation dates are as follows:
Transitional Arrangements of the NHI Bill
Implementation Phases: The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act will be implemented over two phases using a gradual and programmatic approach based on financial resource availability.
Phase 1 (2017-2022):
- Health System Strengthening: Continued implementation of initiatives to align human resources with the requirements of the NHI.
- Legislation Development: Development of NHI legislation and amendments to existing laws.
- Institutional Establishment: Establishing foundational institutions for the NHI Fund.
- Service Purchasing: Purchasing personal healthcare services for vulnerable groups (children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly).
Phase 2 (2022-2026):
- Ongoing Strengthening: Continuation of health system strengthening initiatives.
- Resource Mobilization: Mobilization of additional resources as necessary.
- Service Contracting: Selective contracting of healthcare services from private providers.
Interim Committees in Phase 1:
- National Tertiary Health Services Committee: Develops the framework for tertiary services in South Africa.
- National Governing Body on Training and Development: Advises on health workforce policies, including education and training.
- Ministerial Advisory Committee on Health Care Benefits: Advises on priority-setting for healthcare benefits.
- Ministerial Advisory Committee on Health Technology Assessment: Advises on health technology assessment, serving as a precursor to the Health Technology Assessment agency.
Phase 1 Objectives:
- Migration of central hospitals to be semi-autonomous entities funded and managed nationally.
- Structuring of Contracting Units for Primary Health Care at the district level.
- Establishment of the NHI Fund and its governance structures.
- Development of a Health Patient Registration System.
- Accreditation process for healthcare service providers.
- Purchasing of primary healthcare services from public and private providers.
- Expansion of hospital and clinical support services funded by the NHI Fund.
- Initiation of legislative reforms to support the NHI, including amendments to various health-related acts.
Phase 2 Objectives:
- Establishment and operationalization of the NHI Fund as a purchaser of healthcare services through a system of mandatory prepayment.
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