Provide financial assistance to patients of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and/or their families who have insufficient or no income to access prescribed medication on-site at PMH or at satellite Public Health Clinics in New Providence and on the Family Islands.
Note: The Med-Cards are provided to patients of PMH or poly-clinics for periods ranging from six (6) months to one (1) year, depending on the medical needs for prescribed medication, X-rays and blood works not exceeding $100.00. Patients of PMH/clinics may qualify for Emergency Food Assistance (EFA) while their Med-Card requests are being processed.
- Patients of PMH/clinics, and/or the applicants on behalf of the patients earning minimum wage or lower.
- Patients of PMH/clinics, and/or the applicants on behalf of the patients MUST be Bahamian citizen or permanent resident.
- ALL applicants who are patients of PMH/clinics, and those applicants on behalf of the patients of PMH/clinics MUST be over the age of 18.
- The applicant makes a request at the Health Social Services (HSS) Division at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
- The Social Service Representative (SSR) conducts a needs assessment interview to assess the patient’s eligibility or the eligibility of the applicant on behalf of the patient.
- The SSR completes the Med-Card Summary Form and a recommendation is made about patient’s or applicant’s eligibility.
- The SSR informs the patient or the applicant of eligibility.
This service is NOT directly available from a Family Island satellite office, except in Exuma and Abaco; but while the patient is in New Providence, the patient and/or family of the patient may be assessed by the SSR at HSS/PMH for Med-Card Assistance. The SSR completes a Med-Card Summary Form and a recommendation is made about applicant’s eligibility. The SSR informs the applicant of eligibility on the same day of the application.
Note: While in New Providence, Family Island patients with airline or mail-boat ticket verification may be granted one (1) to two (2) months of medication at the discretion of the participating pharmacy where the Med-Card is being utilized.
Also note that this service requires input from the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).
The application is the Med-Card Summary Form, which MUST BE COMPLETED in-office or at Health Social Services, Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, in New Providence by the SSR.
For Citizens:
- Valid Passport or Voter’s card of the patient and the applicant.
- Valid N.I.B. Card of the patient and the applicant.
- Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Card Registration Number.
- Letter of referral from the attending physician.
- Copies of prescriptions.
- Proof of unemployment and inability to pay.
For Permanent Residents (Non-Citizens)
- Proof of Permanent Residency of the applicant.
- Valid Passport or Voter’s card of the patient and the applicant.
- Valid N.I.B. Card of the patient and the applicant.
- Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Card Registration Number.
- Letter of referral from the attending physician.
- Copies of prescriptions.
- Proof of unemployment and inability to pay.
SSR makes contact on the same day of application and advises the applicant of the outcome. Med-Cards for the patients of PMH are issued to the patients or the applicants on the same day of application. Note: If the issued Med-Cards are misplaced or are not readily accessible to the patients due to unforeseen circumstances, an Emergency Med-Card may be issued. Reassessments for Med-Cards are completed in intervals of six (6) months.
There are NO FEES associated with this service.
Health Social Services Division at Princess Margaret Hospital
Sassoon Building
Shirley Street
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-3350
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Department of Social Services
Sunshine Plaza
Baillou Hill Road
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
P.O. Box N-1545
Tel: (242) 604-4200
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.