Doctors reject fee schedule cancellation

The Medical Association President Ziad Al-Zoubi rejected the Health Minister's decision to suspend the fee schedule published on June 13, 2024.

Al-Zoubi explained that the schedule was reviewed by the ministry for two months, then compared with the 2008 schedule by the Prime Minister's legal advisor, and finally approved and published in the Official Gazette.

The meeting last Thursday included relevant ministers and the Health Minister, where they agreed to review the schedule.

Al-Zoubi emphasized that the association's law and the Prime Minister's legal advisor stated that this matter is solely within the association’s jurisdiction. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for today to discuss the next steps.

Al-Zoubi criticized the minister's decision as contradictory to the law and the previous agreement with the relevant ministers. Consequently, the association's board decided to operate based on the published schedule and implement the cooperative fund system and its regulations, as published in the Official Gazette earlier.

The association warned that if insurance entities did not adhere to this schedule, it would cancel contracts with them and set a date to cease dealings, while committing to treat emergency cases regardless of insurance approvals. For clinic and center visitors, receipts would be issued according to the new schedule.

Health Minister Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, citing his authority, decided to cancel the 2024 fee schedule until the Medical Association provides a schedule that aligns with the joint committee's agreements, the last meeting of which was on January 7, 2024.

The minister explained that the new schedule, which did not reflect the joint committee's agreements, would significantly impact citizens financially, affecting a wide segment and undermining their health rights. He noted that the new schedule increased treatment costs considerably compared to the agreed-upon fee schedule.