Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Jersey) Regulations 201-

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 6 May 2011:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2011-0033
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Jersey) Regulations 201- Amendment		Date of Decision Summary:	5 May 2011
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR - Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Jersey) Regulations 201- Amendment		Date of Written Report:	5 May 2011
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Jersey) Regulations 201-
Decision(s): The Minister decided to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Amendment No.4) (Jersey) Regulations 201-
Reason(s) for Decision: In accordance with the agreement set out in P.36/2010, the Minister is committed to increase medical benefit in line with the relevant increase in RPI .The previous benefit of £19.00 per GP consultation will be increased to £19.59 (an increase of 3.1%).
Resource Implications: The increase in medical benefit represents an estimated net cost to the Fund of approximately £200,000 per annum.
Action required: Policy Principal to request the Greffier of the States to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the draft legislation and to request a States debate on 21st June 2011.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Jersey) Regulations 201-

Report

Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Jersey) Regulations 201- amendment

Purpose of Report

The purpose of this amendment is to increase Health Insurance medical benefit from £19.00 to £19.59 on the day after the Regulations are made.

Report

The Health Insurance (Jersey) Law 1967 collects contributions (2% in total) from employers, employees and the self-employed and uses this money to pay for medical and pharmaceutical benefits and the administration of the Law.

General practice in Jersey is provided by private businesses and General Practitioner consultation fees are set by each practice and not by Government. Under the Health Insurance legislation, the medical benefit provides financial assistance to insured people for General Practitioner consultation fees.

In accordance with the agreement with General Practitioners in proposing P36/2010 (Draft Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) (Amendment No. 3) (Jersey) Regulations), the Minister is committed to an annual increase in medical benefit in line with relevant increases of RPI.

As medical services are exempt from GST, the relevant index is RPI(Y), which excludes the impact of indirect taxes. The increase in the RPI(Y) index between March 2010 and March 2011 is 3.1%.

Recommendation

For the medical benefit rate to increase from £19 to £19.59. The rate was last increased on 17th May 2010.

Financial and manpower implications

The changes have an estimated additional annual cost to the Health Insurance Fund of £200,000 per annum. There are no manpower implications.