Hospital Association Board Responds to Social Security Directorate's Measures...

The Hospital Association announced that the Lebanese Hospital Association was surprised by media reports dated August 7 and 10, 2026, regarding measures taken by the General Directorate of the National Social Security Fund against a large number of hospitals, ranging from warnings, contract cancellations, to suspension of advances, citing non-compliance with fund tariffs and charging differences to insured individuals, based on data collected by the Monitoring Committee.

In light of these unjustified measures imposed on hospitals that have never delayed in providing the best healthcare services to all Lebanese citizens, during times of crisis as well as times of peace, without discrimination, as attested by the highest health authorities in Lebanon and abroad, the Hospital Association clarified the following:

"-First: Previous meetings with the Social Security administration have focused on, and continue to focus on, the tariffs applied by the fund, which never reflect the actual cost of hospital services, amounting to no more than 40% of the real costs. Additionally, several medical procedures are not covered by the fund.

It has already been agreed upon years ago, and coordinated with the Minister of Labor since last year, to conduct a tender with a global company to commission a scientific, realistic study, the results of which would inform the establishment of tariffs reflecting the true cost, yet this has not occurred and the task was instead assigned to a local joint committee that has still not completed its mandate to date.

-Second: Today, no one can ignore the burden caused by rising prices, soaring fuel and energy bills, and their repercussions on all hospital services and operations, not to mention medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and maintenance costs, especially in the absence of sufficient funds through loans and banking facilities to meet needs and sustain medical and therapeutic obligations—due either to the limited amount of advances, which alone cannot solve the problem, or to delays in processing submitted invoices.

While efforts are currently focused on the outcomes of cooperation between members of the joint committee during regular coordination meetings aimed at approving realistic and fair tariff increases aligned with actual costs and protection of insured individuals' rights, and despite the positive atmosphere of previous meetings marked by mutual understanding between the President and members of the Hospital Association Board and the National Social Security Directorate, the association today questions the purpose of this move by the Social Security Fund—not only for hospitals but also for the fate of insured patients who still rely on the fund as their safety net?

While acknowledging the difficult circumstances facing the Social Security Fund, the Hospital Association affirms it has never and will never back down from its full readiness to cooperate and assume responsibilities.