FAQs

 Questions  Answers
 1. Why do we need a Drug Plan? To address national concerns over:
  • The problems caused by chronic diseases which affect 1 in 3 Bahamians (many with more than one condition) and limit their length and quality of life.
  • The lack of timely access by patients to essential drugs to manage condition.
  • The financial burden facing patients, families, businesses and government in having to find the resources to treat these chronic diseases.
 2. What are objectives of the Plan?
  • Treatment – To improve access to prescription drugs and medical supplies for use by patients.
  • Prevention – To provide funds for health promotion and wellness projects in the community.
 3. Which countries have similar plans?
  • In the Caribbean – Barbados; Jamaica; Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Internationally – Canada, Australia, UK (plans cover drugs for all conditions).
 4. Who is eligible as members and how to register?
  • In Phase 1 – NIB pensioners, NIB invalids, Bahamians over 65 years of age and children under 18 years or under 25 years (if full-time students).
  • In Phase 1A (second phase) – Indigents, Public Servants, Women receiving medical care associated with pregnancy, Persons in receipt of NIB Disablement Benefit assessed at 100%, Persons receiving NIB Retirement Grant, Persons age 60 and over in receipt of NIB Survivors Benefit/Assistance.
  • In Future Phase(s) – Employed and self-employed persons; and voluntarily insured NIB contributors.
  • Persons with the chronic diseases must complete application form; have disease(s) certified by a registered physician and completed form processed by NIB to receive the ACE Prescription Membership Card.
  • Application forms are available at NIB offices, health centers, hospitals, pharmacies and doctor’s offices.
 5. What diseases are covered?
  • Arthritis; Asthma; Benign Prostate Hypertrophy, Breast Cancer; Diabetes; Epilepsy, Glaucoma; High Cholesterol; Hypertension; Ischaemic Disease; Prostate Cancer; Psychiatric Illness, Sickle Cell Anemia, Thyroid Disease.
  • This list will be amended over time.
 6. What drug benefits are provided?
  • Quality cost effective drugs and medical supplies such as syringes and test strips which have been recommended by Benefits Review Committee.
  • 205 items are included in list – this will be amended over time.
 7. Which pharmacies can I go to for the medications?
  • All pharmacies in public clinics and hospitals and private pharmacies contracted as providers for The Plan.
  • The private pharmacies must have business and pharmacy licenses and be up to date with payments to NIB.
  • Special attention will be given to members to get drugs in remote Family Islands.
 8. Who manages the Drug Plan?
  • The Plan is managed and administered by The National Insurance Board (NIB).
  • NIB has put in place a strong IT system to manage membership, drug inventory, claims and timely payments, audits, fraud and abuse.
  • NIB emphasizes accountability and customer-oriented services in operations of the Plan.
 9. How is the Drug Plan financed?
  • In Phase 1 & 2 – The Plan is funded by the Medical Benefits Branch of The National Insurance Board. There is no cost to members.
  • In Future Phase(s) – There will be a mix of sources to provide the funds for the Plan. This includes a government grant, coordination of benefits with private insurers, a small co-payment and new NIB contributions recommended at an additional 1% or increasing your National Insurance Contributions from 9.8% to 10.8% of the insurable wage.
 10. How will the prevention and wellness component work?
  • Community groups and organizations can submit well-designed project activities on health promotion, illness prevention, wellness and healthy lifestyles.
  • Projects can be sent to the Drug Plan Office for review, and if successful, funds will be made available for implementation.
 11. When was the Drug Plan launched?
  • The first phase of the Drug Plan was launched on September 20, 2010 and covering NIB pensioners, NIB invalids, Bahamians over 65 years of age and children under 18 years or under 25 years (if full-time students).
  • The second phase of the Drug Plan commenced on May 9, 2011 and coverage was extended to include Indigents, Public Servants, Women receiving medical care associated with pregnancy, Persons in receipt of NIB Disablement Benefit assessed at 100%, Persons receiving NIB Retirement Grant, Persons age 60 and over in receipt of NIB Survivors Benefit/Assistance.