The controversial issue of medical precertification remains on the cards as the Ministry of Health appraises proposals.

Government maintains the process will save money but many local doctors oppose such a move.

Three firms, all from overseas, have responded to a Government Request for Information (RFI) issued in September last year.

Asked for an update, a Ministry spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette: “The responses are being evaluated along with other information to determine the next steps.”

Precertification, if implemented in Bermuda, would require physicians to get a second opinion on select medical imaging procedures, clinical laboratory test orders, and orders with a cumulative value above $300.

Orders by specialists and diagnostic testing for emergencies would not have to be pre-certified, but self-referrals would be.

The procedure, which has been introduced in other jurisdictions to rein in rising healthcare costs, was recently put before the Bermuda Health Council to be adapted to Bermuda’s needs.

It has been largely opposed by the Bermuda Medical Doctors Association, but proponents have argued that precertification would hold physicians accountable for their testing and cut down on frivolous or unnecessary use of highly expensive imaging and lab tests.