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Uninsured healthcare queried
By James Dimond, [email protected]
Tuesday 12th June, 2007 Posted: 16:55 CIT (21:55 GMT)
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Patients sent to Jamaica
Many uninsured or under–insured Caymanians requiring overseas medical care are being sent to Jamaica where healthcare is cheaper.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on 28 May, Health Services Authority acting CEO Lizzette Yearwood said Jamaica is usually the first choice when uninsured and under–insured patients – advanced patients in HSA terminology – require overseas care.
Mrs. Montoya
Cayman Islands National Insurance Company CEO Gordon Rowell said the decision to send these patients to Jamaica is primarily based on cost.
Government and HSA figures rushed to contradict Mr. Rowell’s statement.
They assured the assembly that cost is not the main consideration when deciding where to send patients.
Ms Yearwood said the patient’s needs are the main factor taken into consideration, but she conceded insurance companies have some say in the decision.
Mr. Rowell said cost is a significant factor in the decision, but added that many non–US hospitals, including Jamaican ones, provide excellent care.
“We try to put the patient in a facility where they can get the best care within the financial boundaries that they have,” he said.
In a statement to the Caymanian Compass last week, Ministry of Health and Human Services Chief Officer Diane Montoya denied that cost was the predominant reason for sending patients to Jamaica.
“In the case of advance patients, many patients are sent to Jamaica because the level of care and the cost of the service are more viable alternatives to what is offered in facilities in South Florida,” she said.
“Additionally, some patients are sent to Jamaica because they do not have a valid visa to enter the United States.”
In the Legislative Assembly debate, Mrs. Montoya explained that the USA will not accept patients with criminal records but Jamaica often will.
In the statement, Mrs. Montoya said the standard of care available in Jamaica is sometimes superior to what is offered in certain tertiary institutions in the United States.
“Many insured residents choose to go to Jamaica for various categories of care including cardiac, neurosurgical, trauma, ENT (ears, nose and throat), vascular access for dialysis, and neonatal care,” she said.
“Jamaica has world class specialist facilities with state of the art equipment, particularly for oncology and trauma.”
Ministry officials and the Chief Medical Officer toured several Jamaican facilities in 2004. Mrs. Montoya said they were impressed with the range and quality of services available and they continue to receive positive feedback.
Though more accessible and cost effective, she said there are limits on the number and type of patients that can be sent to Jamaica.
“Due to their own patient volumes, Jamaican institutions cannot always accommodate our patients.
“Neither are they able to provide the same range of services available in the Florida area/United States. This is why access to tertiary care in other jurisdictions like South Florida, is still necessary.”
According to Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts, many patients demand care in Florida because they have prejudiced views about Jamaican healthcare.
“There are many individuals who are actually very adamant about not going to Jamaica,” he said in the Legislative Assembly debate.
Mr. Rowell backed this: “People have prejudices against Jamaica; they believe there is a greater level of care in the USA.”
Mrs. Montoya said the cost of medical treatment in South Florida is among the highest in the United States and is increasing.
“Therefore, the Government is looking into other viable alternatives to increase our options for tertiary care,” she said.
One of these options may be sending patients to Cuba for medical treatment.
Cuba’s healthcare system has been lauded by figures such as Kofi Annan and former World Bank President James Wolfensohn. It boasts doctor–to–patient ratios comparable to Western European countries.
In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Rowell acknowledged that CINICO is looking into establishing a referral programme to Cuba.
“Currently, we do not have a referral programme to Cuba,” he said.
“It is something that has been discussed and we will continue to look at it.”
Budget documents show the Government spent $4.3 million on health care for indigents at overseas tertiary institutions in the 2006/07 financial year; $3.5 million more than it originally budgeted for
By James Dimond, [email protected]
Tuesday 12th June, 2007 Posted: 16:55 CIT (21:55 GMT)
> Comment on this story
Patients sent to Jamaica
Many uninsured or under–insured Caymanians requiring overseas medical care are being sent to Jamaica where healthcare is cheaper.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on 28 May, Health Services Authority acting CEO Lizzette Yearwood said Jamaica is usually the first choice when uninsured and under–insured patients – advanced patients in HSA terminology – require overseas care.
Mrs. Montoya
Cayman Islands National Insurance Company CEO Gordon Rowell said the decision to send these patients to Jamaica is primarily based on cost.
Government and HSA figures rushed to contradict Mr. Rowell’s statement.
They assured the assembly that cost is not the main consideration when deciding where to send patients.
Ms Yearwood said the patient’s needs are the main factor taken into consideration, but she conceded insurance companies have some say in the decision.
Mr. Rowell said cost is a significant factor in the decision, but added that many non–US hospitals, including Jamaican ones, provide excellent care.
“We try to put the patient in a facility where they can get the best care within the financial boundaries that they have,” he said.
In a statement to the Caymanian Compass last week, Ministry of Health and Human Services Chief Officer Diane Montoya denied that cost was the predominant reason for sending patients to Jamaica.
“In the case of advance patients, many patients are sent to Jamaica because the level of care and the cost of the service are more viable alternatives to what is offered in facilities in South Florida,” she said.
“Additionally, some patients are sent to Jamaica because they do not have a valid visa to enter the United States.”
In the Legislative Assembly debate, Mrs. Montoya explained that the USA will not accept patients with criminal records but Jamaica often will.
In the statement, Mrs. Montoya said the standard of care available in Jamaica is sometimes superior to what is offered in certain tertiary institutions in the United States.
“Many insured residents choose to go to Jamaica for various categories of care including cardiac, neurosurgical, trauma, ENT (ears, nose and throat), vascular access for dialysis, and neonatal care,” she said.
“Jamaica has world class specialist facilities with state of the art equipment, particularly for oncology and trauma.”
Ministry officials and the Chief Medical Officer toured several Jamaican facilities in 2004. Mrs. Montoya said they were impressed with the range and quality of services available and they continue to receive positive feedback.
Though more accessible and cost effective, she said there are limits on the number and type of patients that can be sent to Jamaica.
“Due to their own patient volumes, Jamaican institutions cannot always accommodate our patients.
“Neither are they able to provide the same range of services available in the Florida area/United States. This is why access to tertiary care in other jurisdictions like South Florida, is still necessary.”
According to Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts, many patients demand care in Florida because they have prejudiced views about Jamaican healthcare.
“There are many individuals who are actually very adamant about not going to Jamaica,” he said in the Legislative Assembly debate.
Mr. Rowell backed this: “People have prejudices against Jamaica; they believe there is a greater level of care in the USA.”
Mrs. Montoya said the cost of medical treatment in South Florida is among the highest in the United States and is increasing.
“Therefore, the Government is looking into other viable alternatives to increase our options for tertiary care,” she said.
One of these options may be sending patients to Cuba for medical treatment.
Cuba’s healthcare system has been lauded by figures such as Kofi Annan and former World Bank President James Wolfensohn. It boasts doctor–to–patient ratios comparable to Western European countries.
In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Rowell acknowledged that CINICO is looking into establishing a referral programme to Cuba.
“Currently, we do not have a referral programme to Cuba,” he said.
“It is something that has been discussed and we will continue to look at it.”
Budget documents show the Government spent $4.3 million on health care for indigents at overseas tertiary institutions in the 2006/07 financial year; $3.5 million more than it originally budgeted for
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