Karki: Mental Health Is an Essential Part of the Integrated Healthcare System

Dr. Muhammad Karki, General Manager of the National Social Security Fund, received yesterday in his office the President of the Lebanese Psychologists' Union, Dr. Ragaa Maki, accompanied by Mohamed Fadlallah, member of the Union's Media and Public Relations Committee, where discussions focused on a draft cooperation protocol between the Fund and the Union.

According to a statement from the Fund's Public Relations Directorate, this protocol aims to establish a framework for collaboration to enable insured individuals to benefit from psychological sessions (consultation, assessment, treatment) provided by psychologists affiliated with the Union, under specific terms and conditions.

The General Manager expressed "great positivity" toward this proposal, citing the growing importance of mental health as "an essential component of the integrated healthcare system," and pledged to refer the matter to the Fund's High Medical Advisory Committee.

Meanwhile, in continuation of Media Note No. 847 regarding allowing retired insured individuals to benefit through their dependents, thereby exempting them from burdensome contributions, Dr. Karki issued Administrative Memorandum No. 97 dated 24/9/2026, specifying its implementation procedures across Fund offices and relevant directorates using the following mechanism:

First: Case of benefiting from a mandatory official insurer other than the National Social Security Fund:

1- The retired insured person submits a request to suspend their enrollment in the Retired Insureds Scheme to their local office, using a form available at Fund offices and directorates and on the Fund’s official website (cnss.gov.lb), including all required information and attached documents.

2- The office head forwards the request and attachments to the Directorate of Statistics and Work Methodology for processing, after the retired insured has paid all outstanding contributions up to the date of submission.

Note: The retired insured returns to the Retired Insureds Scheme in two cases:

• If the insurer refuses to provide benefits.

• Effective from the date their right to benefits from the mandatory official insurer ceases.

Second: Case of benefiting from the National Social Security Fund under a social investigation:

1- The insured individual seeking to benefit through a retired family member submits a social investigation request, accompanied by a suspension request for the retired insured.

2- The social investigator prepares their report according to established procedures.

3- If the outcome is positive, the office head provides their favorable opinion on the social investigation result on the suspension request and forwards it to the Directorate of Statistics and Work Methodology for processing, after the retired insured has paid all outstanding contributions up to the date of submission.

4- After processing the suspension, the office head issues the social investigation certificate confirming the retired insured’s eligibility to benefit through a family member.

Note: The retired insured returns to the Retired Insureds Scheme effective from the moment the conditions for benefitting through the supporting insured no longer apply.