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Historical Overview

The Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) was established under the Medical Benefits Act, Cap. 271, of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda. The purpose of the MBS is to provide financial and other assistance towards the cost of medical services in Antigua and Barbuda. Initially, the MBS was designed to assist beneficiaries, particularly those suffering from certain chronic disease. In 1998, the Act was amended to expand the scope to include providing financial assistance towards the following activities:

The cost of medical benefits to such class of persons in such circumstances and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by regulation; The construction and maintenance of hospitals and other medical and health care facilities approved by Cabinet; The supply of medical, surgical and dental supplies and laboratory equipment to hospitals and other medical and health care clinics and centres, and The management and administration of hospitals and health care facilities.

Financing

The Scheme is currently funded by 3.5% contributions deducted from the earnings of insured persons and matched by an equal amount by the employers.

For purposes of determining deductions of contributions, the following must be taken into consideration: Overtime payment Cost of living bonus

Additional payments for dependants Supplements for long service industry or efficiency Commission or profit on sales Gratuities paid by the employer Payment for night or shift work Production bonus Danger or dirt money or similar payments Service charges Any employee's liabilities (including tax) paid on his/her behalf by the employer Holiday pay or other amounts set aside out of the employed person's remuneration throughout the year or part of the year to be paid to him/her The Government of Antigua and Barbuda in the 1970s noted the rise in the number of citizens suffering from chronic diseases. These diseases generally required long term care, and in many instances, no known cure existed. Persons suffering from these diseases were required to take medication or other forms of treatment for the rest of their lives. This often proved expensive with either the Government or the individual shouldering the burden. In 1978, the Government created the Medical Benefits Scheme to provide financial and other assistance to persons suffering from specific diseases. The diseases covered today are:

Asthma Cancer Cardiovascular Diseases Certified Lunacy Diabetes Glaucoma Hypertension Leprosy Sickle Cell Anemiaperiodically.

You are here : Home Mission/Vision

Mission

To contribute to the improvement of the quality of life in Antigua and Barbuda by:

Providing beneficiaries of the Scheme with access to healthcare services; Promoting public awareness of the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles; and Providing financial support for the construction and maintenance of health care facilities and infrastructure.

Vision

To be a model organization, which is customer-oriented, and renowned for its service excellence, integrity, accountability and fairness.

Core Values Statement

Service Excellence We will endeavour not only to meet, but also to surpass public expectations through: Providing services at locations that are readily accessed by beneficiaries; Providing timely and reliable services; Using customer satisfaction surveys as the basis for continuous improvement. Stewardship We will be effective stewards of the resources with which we are entrusted. We will

Maintain effective mechanisms to ensure that all contributions due are collected on a timely basis; Exercise prudent financial management and accounting disciplines; Adopt a framework of transparent, public reporting. Collaboration We will foster and develop partnerships with stakeholders and other entities in the pursuit of matters of mutual interest.

Education and Awareness We will promote the adoption of health lifestyles to complement our programme of curative benefits

Human Resources Development We recognize that our human resources are amongst our most valuable assets. We are committed to equitable hiring, remuneration and promotion practices and the continued training and development of our staff.

Teamwork We believe that our success is dependent on our ability to work together, within and between departments, on the basis of mutual trust and respect.

Ethics Fairness, honesty and integrity will be the hallmarks of the way in which we do business.

Information Systems We will leverage on information systems to enhance our service delivery, and as the basis for identifying and analyzing trends to support critical decisions.

Change

We will be sensitive to, and adaptive to, the dynamic environment in which we operate.

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