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A New Law for Health Insurance for

A New Law for Health Insurance for Preschool Children
At the start of September 2012, the President issued a new Decree-Law No. 86 of 2012 introducing a new health insurance scheme for children of preschool age (the “Law”).[1] The Law states that its provisions will be implemented on all newborns until they are old enough to be covered by the Law No. 99 of 1992 concerning health insurance for students meaning until they are enrolled in school, or until they reach the age of seven. It also states that a special account for health insurance for preschool children shall be established in the General Authority for Health Insurance (“GAHI”) for that purpose, and that all resources, costs of services and investment related to the system will be entered into that account. GAHI shall provide for all immunization services as well as medical care for the children in case of disease or injury until they are either stable or cured.
Funding Sources
The Law identifies three sources of funds for this insurance system:
  1. Am annual contribution of 8 Egyptian pounds per child, to be covered by the child’s guardian;
  2. An annual contribution of 12 Egyptian pounds to be covered by the public Treasury;
  3. Donations and subsidies presented for the purpose of this system.
Medical Services
The health care system established by virtue of the new Law provides the following medical services:
  • Medical services provided by general practitioners in specific health units;
  • Medical services on a specialized level and on a consultative level including dental care;
  • Radiographic, laboratory and all other medical examinations;
  • Treatment and hospital stays as well as any other form of treatment;
  • All medicines necessary for treatment;
  • Compensatory devices including eye glasses;
  • Immunization from disease, providing the Ministry of Health takes the responsibility for providing and funding all necessary immunization services for children.
Conclusion
The new Law accomplishes a noble social purpose and it has extended the umbrella of health insurance for children to cover children beginning from birth until they become insured as students. But the more important issue is the actual quality of the medical services being presented. Nonetheless, the Law deserves to be commended.   [1] Presidential Decree-Law No. 86/2012 on the Health Insurance for Children of Preschool Age, Official Gazette, Issue No. 35 (bis) (b), 2 September 2012.
At the start of September 2012, the President issued a new Decree-Law No. 86 of 2012 introducing a new health insurance scheme for children of preschool age (the “Law”).[1] The Law states that its provisions will be implemented on all newborns until they are old enough to be covered by the Law No. 99 of 1992 concerning health insurance for students meaning until they are enrolled in school, or until they reach the age of seven. It also states that a special account for health insurance for preschool children shall be established in the General Authority for Health Insurance (“GAHI”) for that purpose, and that all resources, costs of services and investment related to the system will be entered into that account. GAHI shall provide for all immunization services as well as medical care for the children in case of disease or injury until they are either stable or cured.
Funding Sources
The Law identifies three sources of funds for this insurance system:
  1. Am annual contribution of 8 Egyptian pounds per child, to be covered by the child’s guardian;
  2. An annual contribution of 12 Egyptian pounds to be covered by the public Treasury;
  3. Donations and subsidies presented for the purpose of this system.
Medical Services
The health care system established by virtue of the new Law provides the following medical services:
  • Medical services provided by general practitioners in specific health units;
  • Medical services on a specialized level and on a consultative level including dental care;
  • Radiographic, laboratory and all other medical examinations;
  • Treatment and hospital stays as well as any other form of treatment;
  • All medicines necessary for treatment;
  • Compensatory devices including eye glasses;
  • Immunization from disease, providing the Ministry of Health takes the responsibility for providing and funding all necessary immunization services for children.
Conclusion
The new Law accomplishes a noble social purpose and it has extended the umbrella of health insurance for children to cover children beginning from birth until they become insured as students. But the more important issue is the actual quality of the medical services being presented. Nonetheless, the Law deserves to be commended.   [1] Presidential Decree-Law No. 86/2012 on the Health Insurance for Children of Preschool Age, Official Gazette, Issue No. 35 (bis) (b), 2 September 2012.