Mandatory health insurance reaches more Moroccans

08/03/2007

Morocco's insured workforce is pleased with the benefits and protection health insurance provides. The government programme is promoting competition and standardisation between public and private healthcare facilities, but some health practitioners are concerned about the programme's low payment rates.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 08/03/07

[Getty Images] Around 7.8 million Moroccans are now benefiting from compulsory health insurance

Since becoming available in August 2005, 7.8 million Moroccans have enrolled in a compulsory health insurance programme (Assurance Medicale Obligatoire, AMO). The Ministry of Health predicts that the number could reach almost 10.2 million (34% of the population) within a year.

The AMO programme is run by the National Fund for Social Security (CNSS) for the private sector, while the National Fund of Social Welfare Organizations (CNOPS) runs the programme for workers in the public sector. Approximately half of policyholders work in each sector.

The programme promotes competition and standardisation between public and private healthcare facilities. Chakib Tazi, director of the National Health Insurance Agency, told Magharebia that one of the programme's objectives is to harmonize health care practices in order to improve the quality of care given to patients. Adelaziz Adnane, director of the CNOPS, says it is essential that public healthcare facilities improve their services so that they can attract more patients with AMO coverage.

People with health insurance welcome the benefits health insurance provides. The scheme covers 70% of services rendered in private clinics, and 90% in public hospitals. Premium rates depend on whether insured persons also have private insurance. Jamila Marouani, who has worked for more than ten years, says this is the first time she is not afraid of becoming ill as she knows her healthcare expenses will be reimbursed: "I received my first refunds last April, I was very happy."

But not everyone is content with the programme. Tazi told Magharebia that "the roll-out of the AMO programme has come up against some obstacles which we are gradually overcoming." The payment rates for doctor appointments and home visits determined by the National Health Insurance Agency were largely deemed to be too low. Dr. Mohamed Naciri Bennani, president of the National Union of Private-Sector Doctors, claims that the proposed rates are "an insult to the profession."

The pricing dispute was largely diffused on Monday January 8th following a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Health and a group of healthcare professionals. The agreement establishes procedures for developing, assessing and updating clinical practices, establishing a basis for claims assessment, implementing cost control measures and providing ongoing training for practitioners. Still, said Tazi, "The Ministry of Health will set prices."

Overall the national programme is in its early stages. Although many hospitals have signed partnership agreements with the Ministry of Health, university hospitals have not yet joined the network of AMO healthcare providers.

In February 2008 the CNOPS plans to launch an awareness campaign to explain the benefits of AMO to the public. The campaign will be followed by a push to extend coverage to between 12 and 15 million low-income individuals who currently have no form of health insurance.