The facade of the National Social Security Fund, in Beirut, in September 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The Director-General of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), Mohammad Karaki, announced that the institution will now cover a variety of healthcare services under the umbrella of palliative medicine.
According to the CNSS press release, the expanded coverage specifically includes services and treatments prescribed by healthcare professionals specialized in palliative care, such as doctors, nurses, psychotherapists, social workers, pharmacists, and other specialists. The aim is to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from severe chronic diseases, as well as for their families.
Among the conditions specifically mentioned by the CNSS are cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, heart failure, and neurological disorders, among others. The services will be accessible both in hospital settings and outside medical facilities.
While detailed information on the scope of the coverage was not disclosed, Karaki highlighted that the move became feasible after an increase in the institution's revenues since the national budget for 2024 came into effect. The new budget requires employers to declare taxable salaries at the real market rate, i.e. LL 89,500 to the dollar instead of the former official parity of LL 15,000 to the dollar.
This change comes as the country is grappling with a financial crisis that has seen the national currency devalue by 98 percent over four years. The government began to address the currency devaluation in its fiscal operations only towards the end of 2022, which meant around three years of significantly decreased revenues for its institutions.
Since the changeover to LL89,500 to the dollar, all employers paying any portion of salaries in dollars are now compelled to declare wages at their market value. This automatically increases the amount of social security contributions due.
