The National Health Agency (ANS) indicated that most beneficiaries of health plans migrated to cheaper plans or fled alterations during the Covid-19 epidemic in Bahia. The agency did not give the numbers provided.
With demand for Medicare declining during the pandemic, the ANS has set an 8.19% lower value for plans, between May 2021 and April 2022. However, according to the agency, this information will only appear in coupons from the anniversary date of each plan. In addition, the discount is only valid for individual and family plans.
Kitchen assistant Lourdes Santos had to cancel the plan, as she could no longer pay the monthly fee. “The situation does not allow it. The salary does not allow it. Either you have health insurance, or you eat,” he said.
A physical education teacher, Rafael Borel Cesena, said he had a health plan for years, and that he considered canceling it at the start of the pandemic. This is because he knew that his wife was pregnant and that the value of the plan would increase by 50%.
He explained, “The first thing we thought about was canceling the plan. Then we saw a new opportunity, and another plan with a value close to what we paid before, and we were able to implement portability with the same benefits.”
National Health Agency (ANS) – Photo: Reproduction / Bahia TV
According to insurance broker Lêde Biridinba, many policyholders have changed their plans. In addition, she explained that it is possible to reduce the monthly fee and maintain the same level of service, while studying each case.
“Everyone who sells cosmetics, fruits, or bags seller, has an individual plan, registers with the individual small entrepreneur [MEI] , then changes the plan from individual to company by MEI. I had a client who paid 3000 BRL on a single plan. I lowered it to R$1,500.”
Another strategy Bahians use to pay less is to change the plan only for outpatients, who do not have a hospital stay, to reduce the amount.
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Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.