Prepaid: the Government has reversed course and once again ordered prepaid cards to report the increases

In a retreat from price freedom and the elimination of the obligation to inform the Superintendence of Health Services on the plans and values ​​of the quotas that the Government approved in January, SSSalud has informed the prepaid medicine companies at what present the coverage plans offered to their beneficiaries and the share values ​​updated with the organization. And “having respected the 48-hour deadline granted, we inform you that the prepaid companies have provided, as requested by the Superintendency, the requested information”, reports the agency.

The information requested by SSSalud “meets the main function of this body, which is to monitor to Social Works and Prepaid Medicine Companies and guarantee competition between the various market players”, state the official information.

This information is assumed to serve as a basis for the decisions that the Government could adopt in the face of the dramatic increase in membership fees for various prepaid companies exceeding 150%, more than 200% and more than 300%, according to the different agencies and plans since the government granted price freedom. AND also in response to the request for a meeting with the Ministry of Economy made by various Chambers of the sector.

However, in January, with resolution 51/2024, the Ministry of Commerce repealed resolution 54/2000 with which suppliers of prepaid medicines had to periodically communicate the total value of the monthly fee they receive for providing the service.

Resolution 54/2000 – repealed in January – clarified this “In all cases, information must be presented compared to direct members (who do not draw contributions through agreements with union social works). The value of the first contractual installment will be reported, i.e. for members without seniority. The value of the consideration must include the entire amount paid by the consumer, including the Value Added Tax and any other amount whose payment is mandatory for the normal and regular use of the service. Similarly, for plans with copayments only the amounts corresponding to medical visits carried out in the clinic must be reported. And to communicate the value of the quota for ‘members up to 30 years of age in individual plans’ in the “women” column, the total amount of the quota must be indicated, including the additional amount corresponding to the provision of services in use of the right to maternity”.

SN