Country data sheet – Country profiles

Belize

The country has an agency / unit / committee that leads and coordinates the preparation of HTA reports that allow support for decision-making regarding the incorporation of HT in the public health system: No
Other national agencies that prepare HTA reports: No
HTA Programs at the subnational level: No
Other institutions that prepare HTA reports in the country: No

Bermuda

The country has an agency / unit / committee that leads and coordinates the preparation of HTA reports that allow support for decision-making regarding the incorporation of HT in the public health system: Yes, HTA entity outside the Ministry of Health
Name of the public body or agency or HTA program at the national level: Bermuda Health Council
Other national agencies that prepare HTA reports: No
HTA Programs at the subnational level: No
Other institutions that prepare HTA reports in the country: No

Belize

At the moment, the country does not have an official process for collecting evidence and preparing HTA reports as an input for making health coverage decisions.

Bermuda

In Bermuda, the standard establishes that HTA results should be considered but are not binding in decision-making. HTA results are considered in some cases (>30% – <50% of cases) in the decision-making process for coverage or inclusion in the health benefits package.

Based on provisions within the Health Insurance Act 1970 including its Regulations and the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004, the Health Council has legislative authority to:

– Approve health services providers to deliver services that are included as SHB

– Determine the specific health services that will be included as SHB

– Recommend reimbursement rates in respect of included health services

– Recommend the cost of the package of health benefits (Standard Premium Rate).

Bermuda Health Council established by the Standard Health Benefit Proposal Guide, a guidance on the application process for addition of benefits to Standard Health Benefit (SHB).

They organize two committee: the SHB Review Committee (SRC) and the Health Technology Review committee (HTRC).

– SRC is a sub-committee of the Health Council, governed by the Health Council’s Governance Policy. Members include representatives from the Board responsible for finance and economics, and subject matter experts invited to participate in the process based on the nature of the services proposed in the applications received. The SRC reviews all applications and gives “in principle” approvals, recommending benefits to be priced by actuaries during the annual SPR setting process. Based on this actuarial review the Secretariat forwards recommendations for benefit inclusions to the Health Council’s Board, who then approves a set of benefits to be forwarded to the Minister for approval.

– HTRC is an ad hoc committee where subject matter experts are invited by the Secretariat, to participate in a health system capacity review of proposed health services. The committee members are governed by the Health Council’s Governance Policy. The HTRC reviews all applications for new benefits and high cost benefits and gives input on system capacity for the proposed benefits and provide committee decisions in writing to the SRC.

Belize

In 1998, the Ministry of Health carried out the reform of the health system, reorganizing its services into four health regions (Northern, Central, Western and Southern), headed by regional health managers. All regional hospitals are in urban areas and the rural population has a network of dispensaries, health posts and mobile dispensaries.

Through the introduction of the National Health Insurance Plan, care services are provided through a network of primary care professionals that has focused on the health of a specific geographic and population base defined by their poor condition.

Belize’s health system relies for the most part on public funding. The Government has assigned the Ministry of Health a budget of around 11% of the national budget, corresponding to 3.5% of GDP.

The country does not have a public list of the drugs and other technologies incorporated, including the reasons that led to this decision.

The country also does not have an updated Essential Medicines List in accordance with the WHO recommendations.

Bermuda

The Ministry of Health, as the State health authority, works in collaboration with the Bermuda Health Council, the Department of Health, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, and the Health Insurance Department. The Department of Health provides primary and preventive services to children; family planning and prenatal care to women of reproductive age; occupational health services to the uniformed services; and comprehensive primary health care to the territory’s incarcerated population. The Bermuda Health Council is a quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organization that monitors the health system’s performance and coordinates health system stakeholders to ensure access to health insurance and safe, high-quality care. The Bermuda Hospitals Board, also quasi-autonomous, was established in 1970. Its chief executive is responsible for the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre.

The country does not have a public list of the drugs and other technologies incorporated, including the reasons that led to this decision.

The country also does not have an updated Essential Medicines List in accordance with the WHO recommendations.