Aasandha Co-Payments Planned for Salaries above MVR60,000

Maldivians earning more than MVR60,000 a month will no longer receive full Aasandha coverage under an income-based reform planned for October, President Mohamed Muizzu announced on 7 September.

Those above the salary threshold would instead use a co-payment or pre-payment arrangement, according to the President's Office announcement.

Muizzu said the reform was expected to save MVR287 million annually. He said spending would begin to decline this year, with the full fiscal effect expected in the following year.

The announcement did not specify a co-payment percentage or set out the operational process for assessing income. It said the relevant authorities would announce further details.

The reform concerns the national scheme for Maldivian citizens. The September statement did not announce an extension of eligibility to expatriate residents or visitors.

Existing national scheme

Aasandha's scheme overview describes a government-financed system administered by Aasandha Company Limited. Maldivian citizens access covered treatment through their national identity or passport card.

The listed benefits include inpatient and outpatient care, prescribed medication, diagnostics, surgery and emergency transport. Approved medicines are supplied through participating government and private pharmacies.

The scheme also includes pregnancy care, optical coverage and mental health and therapy services, subject to its rules. Aasandha publishes separate lists of participating facilities and services excluded from coverage.

The national scheme began in 2012 with an annual MVR100,000 limit per person. That overall ceiling was removed when Husnuvaa Aasandha was introduced in February 2014.

Aasandha's company history records its incorporation in December 2011 as a joint venture between the government and Allied Insurance. The government bought the remaining shares in March 2015, making it wholly state-owned.

The company says medical check-up services under the scheme began through government health centres on 1 January 2024. It also operates an online portal for healthcare financing applications.

Its frequently asked questions describe Husnuvaa Aasandha as a cashless scheme, with no reimbursement policy for cash payments made by beneficiaries. Overseas treatment requires a clinical referral and follows the scheme's approval process.

The October change announced by Muizzu would introduce an income distinction in coverage for the specified salary group. The MVR287 million saving remains the government's estimate, and the 7 September statement leaves detailed implementation arrangements to the responsible authorities.