Plans to switch healthcare coverage under the Bermuda Health Plan will go before the public in town hall meetings set for next month, according to Kim Wilson, the health minister. In a statement, Ms Wilson said the reforms would boost health coverage through both Government and private insurance.

Ms Wilson said improved benefits would include greater access to primary care, and better prescription coverage.

The reforms will bring “no immediate changes to your current plan”, the statement said.

The mandatory Bermuda Health Plan will run separately from the supplemental benefits through private insurers.

Seniors covered by FutureCare and HIP should see a reduction in copays for primary care.

The Bermuda Health Plan is expected to “eventually replace current HIP and FutureCare”, the statement added.

The proposal can be viewed at www.gov.bm/healthplan and will be the subject of four months of public dialogue.

Ms Wilson said that discussions “with many stakeholders began earlier this year and will continue into the new year”.

Earlier this week the deadline for consultation prompted one insurer to suggest a more flexible approach.

Peter Lozier, the executive vice-president of group insurance at Argus Group, said that “health reform of this magnitude and complexity requires comprehensive input from a breadth of stakeholders”.

He added: “As many details are yet to be determined, we encourage the adoption of a flexible, rather than fixed, consultation period to ensure all stakeholders have the opportunity to be heard.”

•To read the minister’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.