BAHAMIANS and legal residents who have enrolled in NHI Bahamas will now be able to access laboratory services as part of their primary care benefits.

A press release from the National Health Insurance Secretariat noted that with NHI Bahamas, persons will no longer have to pay for certain lab tests, including some blood tests to check immune function, blood sugar, cholesterol, hormone levels and organ function, as well as blood tests for HIV and such blood disorders as sickle cell anaemia.

The following lab administrators are now available to provide laboratory services at no cost at point of care under NHI Bahamas:

• Bahamas Medical Laboratory Services, 1st Terrace Centreville, Nassau

• Bonaventure Medical Laboratory, East Avenue Centreville, Nassau

• Executive Family Medical Centre, #65 Mackey Street Plaza, Nassau

• Premier Clinical Laboratory, #115 Collins Ave, Nassau

• Integrated Medical Centre, Memorial Plaza, Marsh Harbour, Abaco

“As we transition through the primary care services phases of coverage and persons start seeing their selected doctor, additional services such as lab tests being launched today, will become available to patients who have enrolled in NHI Bahamas,” said Dr Delon Brennen, NHI project manager. “I encourage more providers to sign up for NHI Bahamas to ensure Bahamians have a variety of choices when selecting their primary care providers for a range of services.”

Registration remains open for laboratory services, as well as all other provider types, including primary care physicians, pharmacy and diagnostic imaging services.

Providers interested in signing up for NHI Bahamas can do so online at www.nhibahamas.gov.bs/providers. Registration consists of three easy steps: a self-assessment, an application and an on-site inspection.

Members of the NHI Secretariat remain available for one-on-one sessions to assist with the registration process. To book a session, contact NHI Bahamas at info@nhibahamas.gov.bs or contact them at 396-8500.