Government approves revision of health service tariffs, affecting treatment costs

By The Inspirer.

On January 17, the government approved revisions to health service tariffs, meaning that individuals seeking treatment at medical facilities will face higher costs for some services.

These changes come after private medical facilities requested a review of the existing tariffs, seeking to avoid financial losses and ensure the continued provision of quality healthcare to patients.

The Ministry of Health explained that the revision was necessary due to outdated tariffs from 2017, which no longer reflected the actual costs of healthcare services. The government noted that investments in advanced medical equipment and infrastructure have improved access to high-quality care, necessitating updated pricing to reflect these developments.

The Ministry also emphasized that costs for advanced services, such as medical imaging and radiology, have been reduced by 34%. For example, the price of a CT brain scan for patients covered by the community-based health insurance (CBHI) has decreased from Rwf45,000 to Rwf16,283, with a co-payment of Rwf1,628, down from Rwf4,500.

Core services have been adjusted to reflect actual costs while ensuring that significant government subsidies remain in place. For instance, the cost of a normal (spontaneous) delivery at a public health facility, which previously cost Rwf27,944, now requires a CBHI beneficiary to pay Rwf1,126, up from Rwf926, while insurance covers Rwf11,261.

Although the government’s investment in medical equipment has led to price reductions in certain areas, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana highlighted that some services, particularly drugs, will experience price increases compared to 2017 levels.

The new tariffs cater to CBHI, RAMA (medical insurance for salaried employees), and private insurances, the ministry clarified.

The Ministry further stated that East African citizens will be charged the same rates as Rwandans when seeking treatment in the country. However, additional costs will apply to Africans outside the East African Community (EAC) and to international clients.

The Ministry of Health has indicated that the tariffs will undergo a review every two years to ensure their continued relevance.