HEALTH INSURANCE

According the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004, the Bermuda Health Council is responsible for licensing health insurers. The Health Insurance Act 1970 dictates how health insurance is to be governed in Bermuda.

Here are some key pieces of information found in the Act that employees and employers may find valuable.

Every employer must make health insurance available to all employees and their non-employed spouses through a licensed insurer.
Self employed persons are also required to have health insurance.
Health insurance coverage must include a minimum of the full standard hospital benefit.
If a spouse becomes employed, the employer is no longer required to provide insurance for that spouse.
It is the responsibility of the employee to inform his/her employer when a spouse becomes employed.
An employer is required to pay the insurer the entire cost of the health insurance premium for each employee and their non-employed spouse, but may deduct from an employee’s salary (or wages) up to half the cost of the standard premium.
Promptly after an employee is hired, the employer must provide the employee with the name of the health insurer who is offering the health insurance contract and the insurance number of the health insurance contract.

If you have any questions on the details above, please contact the Health Council at 292-6420.