The government will introduce a 15 percent co-payment on each Aasandha-covered transaction for high-income individuals using private healthcare services from January 1, 2027, as part of efforts to strengthen the sustainability of the national health insurance scheme.
Under the new regulation, individuals earning more than MVR 60,000 per month will be required to pay 15 percent of the cost of each eligible transaction at private healthcare providers registered with Aasandha.
The Ministry of Health, Family and Social Welfare has published implementation guidelines in the Government Gazette. The requirement applies to participating private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, optical service providers and prosthetic service providers.
Healthcare at government hospitals and health centres will remain free of co-payments regardless of patients’ income. Patients referred overseas for treatment through government healthcare facilities will also continue to receive full Aasandha coverage under existing procedures.
The regulation exempts certain professionals in critical technical fields even if they earn above the income threshold. These include doctors and other medical professionals, pilots and aviation technical staff, engineers and professionals in science-based fields. The exemptions are intended to encourage the development and retention of skilled workers.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu previously said the reforms are expected to save approximately MVR 287 million annually in state expenditure. He said the savings would be redirected towards essential public services and social development projects.
The policy is designed to reduce unnecessary expenditure and make Aasandha more financially sustainable while preserving access to government healthcare services for all citizens.
