The Bermuda Health Council will this week begin publishing the identities of employers who do not have an active health insurance policy.

Starting on Friday, companies who are not verified as possessing a policy will be listed on their website.

Jennifer Attride-Stirling, BHC chief executive, said that the council had been investigating an average of 80 employers a month as a result of reports received.

“We follow up on all cases and most employers are very co-operative in resolving the problem, however, about a quarter don’t respond to follow-up and require more intensive investigation,” Dr Attride-Stirling said.

“This is resource-intensive and leaves employees uninsured, often despite having premiums deducted from their pay.

“We hope the numerous efforts to reach employers to advise them of their status and the potential consequences will help to stress the importance of maintaining their insurance cover in line with the law.

“We believe this is an important deterrent measure, and hope never to see a name published.”

Since the amendments to the Health Insurance Act came into effect, the BHC has reportedly written to 15 employers.

A BHC statement said: “The Health Insurance Act 1970 (HIA) requires employers to maintain an active health insurance policy for all employees and their non-employed spouse.

“The BHC is tasked with ensuring that employers comply with the law. To do this, we monitor employers’ insurance through reports from the public, insurers and healthcare providers.

“Many employees are unaware of changes to their health insurance policy status.

“An individual may find out that their policy is inactive only when they go to receive medical attention.

“To ensure employees can be aware of their policy status, the Health Insurance Amendment Act 2015 authorises the Health Council to post on its website the names of businesses that do not have an active health insurance policy in place.

“The list will be updated in real time based on information confirmed with local health insurers. Employers are contacted by a variety of means and, failing a response, they are issued a warning giving seven days to provide proof of an active policy.

“Their names will remain on the website until proof of an active policy is provided by the employer and verified by the insurer.”

Those wishing to query the listings can call the BHC on 292-6420 or e-mail healthcouncil@bhec.bm