Wealthy to be charged specific sums for Aasandha

The Maldivian administration plans to begin charging patients belonging to upper income groups fixed amounts for access to Aasandha, creating a finance mechanism for the public health insurance scheme.

The Aasandha scheme is available for Maldivian citizens of all income groups, from the very poor to the ultra-rich. Spending on the scheme has continued to rise over the years, leading to calls for urgent reforms.

The administration began rolling out the reforms two weeks back. Starting November, patients who hold private insurance only receive Aasandha coverage for outpatient services once they reach the limit of their private insurance coverage.

The Finance Ministry has submitted a proposed budget of MR 56.6 billion for next year, with total expenditure expected to top MVR 49.2 billion. Aasandha makes for 5.1 percent of the projected recurrent expenditure.

The 2025 budget book includes details of more Aasandha reforms the administration plans to roll out next year.

According to the budget book, patients belong to the top income group will either be charged a specific amount for medicine and outpatient services or will need to bear the whole cost on their own.

Meanwhile, patients who pay income tax will be charged a pre-payment for Aasandha, so they can contribute towards financing the scheme.

The Finance Ministry expects the reforms will held cut down spending on Aasandha.

Additional reforms planned for next year includes setting and harmonizing package rates for services from private hospitals and medical facilities.