Morocco centralises its health insurance structure
Morocco has decided to centralise its health insurance structure under a single management entity.
The Moroccan House of Councillors has approved a far-reaching legislative reform of the basic national health insurance system aimed at improving the kingdom's healthcare structure and moving towards medical and social protection for all citizens.
The new unified structure for managing the health insurance system takes full control in this area and will serve to strengthen governance in social protection at the national level, according to the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
The reform also allows the managing authority to finance health prevention and awareness campaigns, linking insurance management to broader public health initiatives.
The main point of the reform is to centralise all basic health insurance under a single structure, under the supervision of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).
This new move by the Moroccan kingdom avoids existing inequalities and fragmentation in the area of basic medical coverage with the firm intention of ensuring that healthcare and medical insurance reach all citizens, avoiding unequal treatment in an issue as important as the health of the population.
King Mohammed VI has already given clear guidelines in this regard for universal access to medical coverage in terms of basic health insurance, something from which all Moroccan citizens can benefit.
The government believes that this unified restructuring will improve efficiency and transparency in the provision of healthcare services.
‘This consolidation eliminates the confusion and delays that patients used to face when dealing with multiple insurance companies,’ the Moroccan Ministry of Health said in an official statement.
The new structure benefits the most vulnerable and least well-off sectors in this area, such as students and young adults. The reform eliminates separate student insurance, while protecting the rights of existing beneficiaries, and young adults will benefit from extended coverage, as the age limit for dependents is increased from 26 to 30. This means that these young people will be able to remain covered by their legal guardians' insurance for four more years, which will undoubtedly provide financial relief and greater security for this young group.
As for the programme covering citizens who cannot afford social security contributions for health insurance, there are also new developments with the new legislation, which clarifies the conditions for access to the so-called ‘AMO Tadamon’ programme.
The bill maintains protections for public sector employees and their families while establishing clearer pathways for vulnerable populations to access healthcare.
While the transition to the new model is underway, healthcare and insurance coverage will continue to be guaranteed, as is to be expected. The reform also allows the central management authority to finance prevention and health awareness campaigns, linking insurance management to broader public health initiatives.
This health insurance reform is part of the strategy for universal social and health protection promoted by King Mohammed VI, aimed at improving access to public health and the quality of healthcare.
In line with this strategy, the Moroccan government has continued to work to modernise the healthcare system through tools such as digitalisation, infrastructure reinforcement and the expansion of the healthcare workforce, with the aim of providing more accessible and higher quality medical services.
