Aasandha has no details, with just a week remaining for policy on limiting coverage for high earners

With only one week remaining until the implementation of a policy to limit Aasandha coverage for individuals earning over MVR 60,000 per month, the Aasandha Company has claimed that no details are currently available for disclosure.

The national health insurance provider made this statement in response to a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by Adhadhu seeking details on the policy. The request sought information on eight points.

However, instead of addressing the individual queries, Aasandha provided a single response for all questions, stating that, as the work is still ongoing, information can only be disclosed once the process is finalised.

"As the necessary work to implement the policy is currently underway, we wish to inform you that the requested information will be disclosed upon completion of these tasks," Aasandha stated.

Among the information withheld by Aasandha—citing ongoing work—is the date on which the policy implementation will commence.

The information requested by Adhadhu via the RTI included

1. A copy of the regulations or operational guidelines formulated regarding the decision to remove full Aasandha coverage for those earning over MVR 60,000.
2. The date on which Aasandha limits for those earning over MVR 60,000 will take effect.
3. The total number of Aasandha beneficiaries whose government records show a monthly income exceeding MVR 60,000.
4. The plan for integrating those losing coverage into secondary or private insurance schemes.
5. The number of individuals earning over MVR 60,000, categorised by gender, in both government positions and private companies.
6. The number of Maldivian citizens earning over MVR 60,000, categorised by gender, in both government positions and private companies.
7. The number of individuals earning over MVR 60,000 who already hold other insurance schemes.
8. Details on how MVR 287 million will be saved by introducing the policy to restrict full Aasandha coverage for high earners.

Following the announcement of this government policy, data from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) regarding income tax payers in this bracket indicates that there are more than 60,000 individuals in this category.

President Mohamed Muizzu announced the decision to limit Aasandha for those earning above MVR 60,000 during a press conference held at the President's Office on September 7.

"In the coming days, those receiving salaries above MVR 60,000 will no longer receive full Aasandha coverage as they currently do. Those earning above MVR 60,000 will receive Aasandha through a co-pay or pre-pay system. This will save MVR 287 million within a year to be spent on other public needs," Muizzu said.

Although Aasandha Company did not clarify the data regarding individuals earning over MVR 60,000, statistics from MIRA show that the number of people in this income bracket stands at 60,489.