HMOs offer insurance for drugs not in basket

HMOs will once again be offering medicines not included the state-subsidized health basket of services, as part of their new private medical insurance policies.

The problem is that a law enacted by the Knesset in 2007 prohibits the health funds from offering medicines not in the health basket to their members as part of the HMO supplementary insurance policies. To get around the problem, the four HMOs will cooperate with private insurance companies, and those firms will provide the insurance. The insurers will also be required to offers the policies to all HMO members, without denying coverage to anyone who wants. The HMOs expect the move to increase competition in the health insurance industry - and lower prices and improve conditions.

The Kupat Holim Maccabi HMO announced yesterday that members with its broadest supplementary insurance policy, Magen Zahav (Gold Shield), would receive an offer next week to cover life-saving and life-prolonging drugs not included in the health basket. The additional coverage will be for up to NIS 1 million per drug, and all members would be eligible. Maccabi is offering the insurance in cooperation with Migdal.

Maccabi members will be able to sign up immediately at a cost of NIS 19.50 to NIS 49 per month per family.