The Bermuda Health Council helped to recover $700,000 in health insurance premiums in the fiscal year 2015 to 16.

Health minister Jeanne Atherden also said the organisation’s efforts — in collaborating with insurers and educating employers on their obligations — had resulted in health insurance coverage for 2,115 employees.

Tabling the Health Council’s annual report before the House of Assembly today, Ms Atherden also noted other highlights, including:

• helping to co-ordinate standards of practice affecting 350 allied health professionals

• assisting with health costs by monitoring physicians’ diagnostic imaging and diagnostic lab order rates

• promoting electronic claims.

Commenting in a statement today, Tawanna Wedderburn, CEO of the Health Council, said: “Overseeing Health Council operations and monitoring Bermuda’s health system has been an outstanding journey for us this past year.

“We facilitated the addition of new benefits to the Standard Health Benefit, while recommending that the premium did not increase.

“We learnt from health professionals and providers and together we developed standards of practice, planned symposia to encourage consistency in appropriate

screening for select health conditions and released a report on the performance of statutory bodies that regulate health professionals.

“We remain committed to collaborating with all stakeholders, protecting the public, and ensuring that the quality of care improves for all residents.”

• To see Ms Atherden’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”