Guarantee Takes Action Against Non-Compliant Hospitals... Here Are the Details!

According to the Public Relations Directorate of the National Social Security Fund, "regular financial advances, adjustment of medical and hospital fees as needed, and full responsiveness and cooperation with legitimate demands—these are the positive approaches the Fund's management has consistently adopted in its relationship with Lebanon's healthcare sector, aiming to ensure continuous provision of adequate healthcare for insured patients."

The Directorate stated in a press release that "in contrast, while acknowledging the crucial role hospitals play in maintaining national health security and delivering high-quality services, particularly under difficult and exceptional circumstances, some still prioritize financial profit over all other considerations."

It added: "Therefore, after repeatedly warning, on every occasion, about the necessity of adhering to the tariffs set by the Fund, General Manager Dr. Muhammad Karki instructed the Hospital Supervision Department to conduct a comprehensive audit to assess the extent to which contracted hospitals comply with these approved tariffs, especially regarding unjustified financial surcharges imposed on insured patients." The statement noted that "the audit results showed that a large number of hospitals adhere to the Fund’s tariffs and treat insured patients professionally, ethically, transparently, and with high humanitarian standards. Conversely, it was revealed that certain hospitals, particularly major university hospitals, continue to charge excessive and unjustified surcharges, placing a heavy burden on insured patients and forcing them to sell their assets to pay their hospital bills."

Continuing, the statement said: "Based on this, and because the rights of insured individuals represent a red line for the Fund—which will not tolerate any violation—Dr. Karki took a series of actions against non-compliant hospitals on August 6, 2026, ranging from final deadlines and warnings to contract termination, depending on the severity of violations and the level of cooperation with Fund oversight bodies. These actions were as follows:

- A final deadline to correct violations and comply with Fund tariffs by August 31, 2026, for major university hospitals: American University of Beirut – Rizq – Hotel Dieu – Al-Qartabaoui – Saint-Jean University – Kesrouan Medical Center, and Saint-Charles.

- Issuance of warnings, under threat of halting financial advances and subsequent contract termination, for the following hospitals: Lebanese Arab Hospital, Al-Maqasid Hospital, Lebanon Medical Center, Arz Hospital, Our Lady of Martyrs, Sainte-Marie University Hospital, Nini Hospital, North Hospital, Muzlum Al-Jadida, Islamic Hospital, Albert Hekel Hospital, Sheikh Khalaf Hamad Al-Habtouer Hospital, and Middle East Health Center.

- Termination of contracts with Clinique Clemenceau Medical Center and Our Lady of Lebanon Hospital."

It noted that "some hospitals attributed the violations and financial discrepancies to technical reasons, primarily their inability, as of yet, to update their information systems to align with recent changes in Fund tariffs, especially those related to medical supplies."

The statement concluded: "The General Manager reaffirms that the Fund remains open to cooperation, especially when it serves the interests of insured individuals and guarantees them dignified and appropriate healthcare. On the other hand, after the expiration of the specified deadlines, he will not hesitate to take necessary legal measures against any hospital continuing to violate tariffs or infringe upon the rights of insured persons."