Our Vision
The vision for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bermuda is to ensure that everyone has equitable access to essential health services without experiencing financial hardship.
Universal Health Coverage is about creating a healthcare system that enables people to access the care they need, when they need it, while protecting them from financial hardship. It aims to improve health outcomes, reduce inequities, and build a more sustainable healthcare system for future generations.
Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage
Bermuda's journey towards Universal Health Coverage is already underway.
The Ministry of Health is pursuing a phased approach to healthcare reform that focuses on prevention, affordability, accessibility, and improved health outcomes. While work continues on the development of the Core Benefits Package and a future single-payor system, several important reforms have already been introduced to strengthen Bermuda's healthcare system and expand access to care.
These initiatives represent the first phase of UHC implementation and demonstrate the Government's commitment to ensuring residents can access quality healthcare without undue financial burden.
Recent Improvements
Free Annual Health Exams
HIP and FutureCare policyholders are now eligible for one free annual health examination.
Regular health examinations help:
- Detect health concerns early
- Improve management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
- Promote preventative care and healthy lifestyle choices
- Reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalisations
Preventative care is a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage and supports better long-term health outcomes.
Expanded Prescription Drug Coverage
To help residents manage rising medication costs:
- HIP prescription coverage has increased from $1,000 to $3,000 annually.
- FutureCare prescription coverage has increased from $3,000 to $5,000 annually.
Improving access to essential medications helps individuals better manage chronic illnesses, remain adherent to treatment plans, and avoid preventable complications.
Enhanced Personal Home Care Benefits
The 12-month waiting period for Personal Home Care benefits has been eliminated for HIP and FutureCare policyholders.
The benefit supports seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions by providing access to:
- In-home care services
- Adult day-care support
This enhancement supports ageing in place, promotes independence, assists caregivers, and helps reduce unnecessary hospital stays.
Expanded Kidney Transplant Coverage
Access to life-saving treatment is an essential component of Universal Health Coverage.
In 2026, the Government increased the maximum amount payable towards the cost of a kidney transplant from $150,000 to $400,000. This significant enhancement reduces financial barriers for patients requiring kidney transplantation and provides greater financial protection for individuals and families facing serious illness.
This reform reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring medically necessary treatment is accessible and affordable for Bermuda residents.
How These Reforms Support Universal Health Coverage
Together, these improvements advance Bermuda's UHC objectives by:
- Expanding access to preventative healthcare
- Improving affordability of essential medications
- Reducing financial barriers to life-saving treatment
- Strengthening community-based and home-based care
- Supporting early intervention and chronic disease management
- Improving health outcomes across the population
- Building a more sustainable healthcare system
These reforms are helping Bermuda move from a healthcare system focused primarily on treating illness to one that places greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and equitable access to care.
Developing the Core Benefits Package
The Ministry of Health is currently collaborating with a multi-disciplinary group of clinicians to develop a Core Benefits Package.
The Core Benefits Package will establish a baseline level of health insurance coverage for all Bermuda residents and provide access to essential healthcare services regardless of a person's circumstances.
The package is expected to include services focused on prevention, early intervention, and primary care, including:
- Regular health check-ups with a Primary Care Physician (GP)
- Health education and promotion
- Support for healthy lifestyle choices
- Vaccinations
- Mental health support and services
Access to these services can improve health outcomes, enable earlier diagnosis of health conditions, and reduce the need for more costly interventions later.
Moving Towards a Single-Payor System
As part of the long-term vision for Universal Health Coverage, the Government intends to move towards a single-payor healthcare system.
Under this model, all Bermuda residents would have health insurance coverage for the Core Benefits Package through one plan. Residents would continue to choose their healthcare providers, while payment for covered services would be administered through a single payer.
Single-payor systems can:
- Improve equity and access to care
- Reduce administrative costs
- Simplify healthcare coverage
- Improve efficiency
- Support better population health outcomes
Supplemental Coverage
Residents who wish to purchase health insurance coverage beyond the Core Benefits Package will continue to have access to supplemental insurance options through Bermuda's existing health insurers.
The Road Ahead
Universal Health Coverage will be delivered in phases.
Phase 1: Underway
- Free annual health examinations
- Expanded prescription drug coverage
- Enhanced Personal Home Care benefits
- Expanded kidney transplant coverage
Phase 2: In Development
- Core Benefits Package
Phase 3: Future State
- Single-payor healthcare system
Through each phase, the goal remains the same: ensuring every Bermuda resident has access to essential healthcare services without experiencing financial hardship.
Universal Health Coverage is an investment in a healthier, fairer, and more resilient Bermuda.
