Retirees Under 65 Required To Pay NHI

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BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Retirees under age 65 are required to pay their own contributions towards the Virgin Islands National Health Insurance (NHI) programme, at a rate of 3.75% of the monthly pension amount, according to the NHI office.

Deputy Director of the BVI Social Security Board, with responsibility for NHI, Mr. Roy Barry, said some retirees are under the impression that if they are receiving pension payments, that their former workplace is still making NHI contributions on their behalf.

He said, “We are encouraging all retirees to come in and change their eligibility, as mandated by law. Retirees will need to make contributions in order to maintain their eligibility and secure access to medical coverage through NHI.”

Mr. Barry added that the reality is many retirees under age 65 would have retired because they have established a business or secured other sources of income.

"Hence, they are reminded that NHI is funded by contributions from pensioners with other sources of income. Only those persons ages 65 and older are exempt from making contributions.”

Section 61 (3) of the legislation states, “The Government shall pay the contributions of the persons exempted from the payment of hospital charges as specified under regulation 4 of the Public Hospital Regulations, 1927, on their behalf.”

Persons exempted include Persons 65 years or older; Indigent Persons (as defined and certified by the Social Development Department); Wards of the State (not being prisoners); Risk Officers (Police, Customs, Immigration and Fire); Persons qualifying under the UK/BVI Reciprocal Health Agreement signed 31st July, 1989; Prisoners; and Dependent children.

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