Aasandha to cover overseas medical travel for treatments available locally, based on patient condition
This change will enhance the support provided to patients traveling from the atolls to Malé and streamline the process for individuals with disabilities to acquire essential assistive devices through the Aasandha scheme, rather than via NSPA.
The Auditor General’s Office has urged the formulation and implementation of policies to strengthen controls and streamline the administration of the Aasandha scheme, aimed at preventing the misuse of the national health insurance program. | Edition.mv
The government has amended the Aasandha National Health Insurance Scheme regulations to allow patients to seek medical treatment abroad even if the required services are available locally. Under the new changes, authorization for overseas treatment will be granted after evaluating the challenges in accessing local care and the specific medical condition of the patient.
The revised policy was officially published on Monday. Under the previous regulations, Aasandha coverage for overseas medical treatment was granted exclusively for procedures unavailable within the Maldives. However, the government has now decided to ease these restrictions. Aasandha stated that this decision aims to streamline and facilitate better access to healthcare services for the public.
Following the recent policy changes, a newly added clause to the Aasandha regulations states that coverage for overseas medical treatment may be granted even for services available within the Maldives, subject to a comprehensive evaluation. The regulations specify that such decisions will be based on the nature and severity of the patient's condition, the practical challenges in accessing the treatment locally, and other relevant social and medical factors surrounding the patient's circumstances.
The updated policy further specifies that Aasandha coverage will now extend to residents of the atolls who travel to Male' for medical treatment and subsequently require further travel abroad for care before returning home. Additionally, in cases where specialist doctors advise that no further treatment options are available under the scheme, Aasandha will now cover all associated expenses until the patient returns to their home island.
Under the newly implemented changes, assistive devices for persons with disabilities—such as hearing aids and wheelchairs—have been removed from the list of items previously excluded from the Aasandha scheme. Consequently, these expenses, which were formerly covered under a separate budget by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), will now be provided through Aasandha.
The public continues to voice concerns over significant delays in securing financial assistance through the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) for medical treatment, both abroad and within Male'. The government states that the newly introduced changes will address these issues and provide a lasting solution.
