The Free Health Care Policy on exemption from user fees for children under 18 years of age who are resident in Jamaica comes into effect on May 28, 2007.

This Policy means that children in the stated age group will not pay fees for health services usually provided in the government health facilities

1. Which services will be free?

 All health care services provided at all public health facilities, excluding the University Hospital of the West Indies, will be free for patients under the age of 18 years of age. This includes:

• Registration
• Examination by doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners or dental nurses in health centres and hospitals
• Diagnostic services such as X-rays, lab tests of various kinds
• Hospital admissions for medical treatment, surgery, anaesthesia, delivery, suturing and other available health care procedures.
• Services delivered at health centres, such as immunization, child care, nutrition monitoring, dental care, antenatal, post-natal care, family planning and other first line primary health care services and procedures.
• Pharmaceuticals, such as medications and injections usually provided in the governmental health care system
• Any other services that becomes available in the public health care system in the future e.g.: CT scan and other new technologies.

2. Do I still need to register?

Yes, whether you are a new or existing patient you must go to registration first. You will be given a stamped card marked “Age Exempt” which you must show wherever you go for treatment at this facility and any other public health facility.

Registration is also necessary in order to generate a bill for financial records purposes.

3. Will the registration procedure remains the same.

Operations in all public health facilities remain the same. Therefore patients must first visit the registration area for processing before proceeding to the service area relevant to their condition.

A bill will be generated but stamped “Age Exempt” only for accounting purposes.

4. If I am transferred/ referred to another health facility will I have to pay for the services there?

If you have to be treated elsewhere you will not pay as long as it is a public health facility. However, if you have to be treated at the University Hospital or a private health facility you will have to pay for those services.

5. If my private doctor refers me to a public health facility for treatment, do I have to pay for the services?

If you change your status from private to public patient the services will be free of cost. However, if you wish to use the public health facility as a private patient you will be required to pay for the services.

For example, if your private doctor examines you and then refers you to a public hospital to see a specialist and to continue your treatment as a public patient, you will not pay for the services. However, if the private doctor sends you to a public health facility to have an X-ray or MRI scan done and for the results to be sent back to your private doctor you will pay for those services.

If you have paid your private doctor for surgery that is done in a public health facility, you are considered a private patient and will be required to pay for the use of the public health facility.

6. Do need identification to get the services free?

We would prefer if teenagers carry picture identification. However, if you do not have any document to verify your age you will still be given the service at no cost to you.

7. If I owe the hospital for services I received before May 28, 2007. Do I still need to pay?

Yes.

8. Will I have to continue to use my health insurance or National Health Fund card at public health facilities?

Yes. However, you will no longer be required to pay the co-payment.

9. Will I be able to get free medication at all Pharmacies in Jamaica, both at pharmacies on the hospital grounds and those located else where?

Patients in the stated age group will be provided with medication free of cost by pharmacies located at public health facilities. The Drug Serv outlets on the grounds of health care facility will honour this new arrangement. However, patients will be asked to pay at Drug Serv Branches outside of health care facilities.