Many Dominicans who have medical insurance are not aware or make little use of the annual reserve for pharmaceuticals included in their plans. The Senate is looking into passing a modification to the law that governs medical insurance providers so that if the reserve is not used one year it is accumulated for the next year. At present, if consumers do not use the fund, they lose it and it is profit for the insurance company. The legislators also want to make it possible for consumers to be able to purchase any pharmaceutical that is prescribed by a doctor. At present, there are restrictions in the pharmaceuticals the plan covers. The bill also instructs the National Social Security Council (CNSS) to order an increase in the funds at the half-year mark. The reason for the bill is that there allegedly is complicity between medical insurance service providers and the pharmacies to make it difficult for the patients to access the fund.
www.elnacional.com.do/nacional/2013/6/12/162578/Apoderan-Senado-proyecto-busca-traspaso-fondo-de-medicamentos-no-consumido