It has been decided and announced that Aasandha coverage will be granted for overseas medical travel to seek treatment even if it is available in the Maldives, taking into account difficulties in obtaining the treatment and other surrounding circumstances.

Previously, medical travel abroad under the national social health insurance scheme was only permitted for treatments entirely unavailable within the Maldives.

With the amendments to the "Regulations on the Administration of the Husnuvaa Aasandha Scheme" gazetted today, changes have been brought to the criteria under which Aasandha assistance is provided for overseas treatment.

According to the updated regulations, the circumstances under which patients can be sent abroad include:

  • To seek a treatment available in the Maldives, after considering the nature of the illness, the patient's condition, the difficulties in obtaining the available treatment within the country, and other surrounding circumstances.
  • Referrals for services authorized under the scheme that are completely unavailable in the Maldives.
  • To obtain a service that is not empanelled (registered) under the scheme, out of the services provided at a medical facility registered under the scheme.