Auleria Wakudumo
Cabinet has approved the alignment of the Ministry of Health and Social Services tariffs with the Public Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS) and Namibian Association of Medical Aid Funds (NAMAF) tariffs for non-hospitalisation services provided at State health facilities.
Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus announced the decision, following the 15th Cabinet meeting held on 19 May 2026.
She said Cabinet endorsed the proposed tariff rates set at the 2014 NAMAF tariffs review, plus 20% for the purpose of billing PSEMAS and other medical aid fund beneficiaries receiving services at State hospitals and health facilities.
She explained that the revised tariffs will apply specifically to non-hospitalisation services, including outpatient healthcare services rendered to medical aid beneficiaries at public hospitals and clinics.
The information minister revealed that Cabinet further mandated the health minister to undertake the necessary administrative actions required to implement the decision.
This includes initiating the gazetting of the revised fees payable by PSEMAS and other medical aid fund beneficiaries receiving services at State hospitals in terms of Section 38 of the Hospitals and Health Facilities Act, 1994 (Act No. 36 of 1994).
The gazetting process is expected to formalise the revised fee structure.
It will also provide the legal framework for public health facilities to bill medical aid schemes for services rendered to beneficiaries.
The latest Cabinet decision forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system and improving revenue collection within State health facilities.
Government has, in recent months, intensified efforts to integrate PSEMAS beneficiaries into public healthcare facilities as part of reforms within the health sector.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced plans for the phased implementation of treatment for PSEMAS beneficiaries at selected public hospitals.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao previously stated that the transition of civil servants covered under PSEMAS to public health facilities would begin in phases from 1 April 2026.
The reform initiative is intended to strengthen public healthcare services while reducing reliance on private healthcare facilities funded through PSEMAS.
Government has also indicated that the reforms seek to improve sustainability within the medical aid scheme and enhance the quality of healthcare services provided at State facilities.
The approved tariff alignment is expected to establish a standardised billing framework for medical aid beneficiaries accessing healthcare services at public hospitals and clinics.
Under the new structure, State health facilities will charge PSEMAS and other medical aid funds based on the 2014 NAMAF tariff rates with an additional 20% adjustment approved by Cabinet.
The decision is also expected to improve cost recovery for public health institutions by enabling government facilities to recover more funds from medical aid-covered patients receiving treatment in the public sector.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has yet to announce when the revised tariffs will officially take effect following the gazetting process.