MedCard Assistance For Families : Bahamas

Name of the Organization : Ministry of Social Services & Community Development
Type of Facility : MedCard Assistance For Families
Country : Bahamas

Official Website : https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/

MedCard Assistance for Families :

A MedCard provides a means for poor families to access medication and medical services. A MedCard provides the bearer with BS$100.00 daily allowance in services namely for medication, x-rays, blood works; over BS$100.00.

Related : Bahamas Ministry of Social Services & Community Development Apply For MedCard Assistance : www.statusin.org/5165.html

Medical Cards may be used at all satellite clinics under the Department of Public Health inclusive of the Family Islands’ Clinics. If the applicant does not qualify for the MedCard, he/she may qualify to receive financial assistance or emergency financial assistance.

Eligibility :
Persons with insufficient means to follow through with medical treatment recommended by a physician.

Process :
** The applicant visits the Health Social Services (HSS) Division of the Department of Social Services/Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and makes a request.
** An interview is conducted with the applicant.
** A financial needs assessment is then conducted.
** Based on the outcome of the assessment, a recommendation is made either to receive a MedCard or receive financial assistance.

Note : Family Island Social Services Office may assess and refer clients however, MedCard is only issued from HSS/PMH office.

Application Form(s) :
There is no application form for this service.

Supporting Documents :
** A requisition and letter of referral from the attending physician, Princess Margaret Hospital.
** Copy of prescription.
** Government issued photo identification (example valid passport, driver’s licence, voter’s card).

Turn-around time :
** MedCard : same day.
** Financial Assistance : 7-14 days average.
** Emergency financial assistance : 2-3 days.

Deadline :
There are no deadlines for this service.

Related Fee(s) :
There are no fees associated with this service.

For more information please contact :
Ministry of Social Services & Community Development :
P.O. Box N- 3206
Aventura Plaza
J.F.K. & Bethel Ave.
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 323-7814/5
Fax. (242) 325-1920

Department of Social Services :
P.O. Box : 1545
Clarence Bain Building
Thompson Boulevard
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 326-0451/326-0526
Fax. (242) 323-8672

Healthy Lifestyles Initiative :
Health statistics indicate high incidences of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer. For example, 45% of deaths in 2003 were due to chronic non-communicable diseases.

Preliminary data from the National Chronic Non-communicable Disease Survey, March 2006 (1,424 persons surveyed in 637 households in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Long Island)

** 21% had been diagnosed with high blood pressure
** 26% of those measured had elevated blood pressure
** 7% had been diagnosed with diabetes

** 12% had impaired and elevated fasting glucose on measurement (often used as an indicator for diabetes)
** 70% were overweight

** 8.8% were current smokers
** 64.5% described themselves as sedentary in leisure time
** 47% did not eat at least 1 fruit everyday
** 51% did not eat vegetables everyday
** 33% had “fast food” 2 or more times per week