Tahraoui: Unification of Mandatory Health Insurance Management and Transition of the Public Sector System to the CNSS
Amine Tahraoui, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, confirmed that the draft law No. 54.23 aims to transfer the management of the mandatory basic health insurance system for the public sector to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), moving away from the National Fund for Social Security Organizations, which will lead to unified management while maintaining multiple systems.
During the presentation of the project in a legislative session at the House of Representatives, the minister explained that the CNSS Board of Directors will decide on issues related to the concerned systems, while agreements with mutual associations will remain in effect for a duration specified by a decree, ensuring that beneficiaries and their dependents can benefit from the “third-party payer” framework according to a special agreement.
Tahraoui noted that the transfer and integration of the concerned employees will be done by force of law and automatically, while preserving their enrollment in basic and supplementary insurance and pension systems. He also mentioned the futility of maintaining the student system within the context of universalizing mandatory insurance, as most students benefit from health coverage either as dependents or are automatically transferred to the “Amoo Tadamoun” system when they lack the status of beneficiaries.
The minister clarified that the draft includes extending the age limit for unmarried students who continue their studies to 30 years instead of 26, taking into account the specifics of traditional education and institutions such as Al-Qarawiyyin University.
He added that the text includes the repeal of the provisions of law No. 116.12 and the transfer of assets, liabilities, deposits, and returns related to the student system to the state’s budget, while allowing students, whose annual contributions are covered by the state and who do not benefit from any other coverage, a transitional benefit from a system for those unable to pay subscription fees within a regulatory timeframe.
The draft also stipulates that foreign students will benefit from mandatory basic health insurance under an agreement between the National Social Security Fund and the relevant authorities and institutions, as part of the implementation of framework law No. 09.21 concerning social protection, particularly articles 15 and 18, aimed at adopting a unified management body and ensuring the integration of system components.
Tahraoui emphasized that the transfer of management does not imply the unification of systems or the integration of the public and private sectors, pointing out that any potential integration would require in-depth studies for financial sustainability and a specific legislative framework, which will not be included in this project.
