The Jordan Medical Association Council is referring insurance companies to the judiciary under Article 19(b)(2) of the Association’s Cooperative Fund Regulation. This legal action follows a dispute over fees and coverage protocols within the medical sector. Simultaneously, the Jordan Insurance Federation and the Jordanian Association for Health Insurance cancelled the accreditation of 28 doctors. These insurers initiated the move to revoke the credentials of the specified medical professionals as tensions between providers and coverage entities escalate across Jordan. Both the association and the insurance groups remain in a standoff regarding the enforcement of professional regulations and the administrative status of medical practitioners.
Dispute Over Contractual Obligations
The Jordan Medical Association maintains that a formal agreement signed under the supervision of the Ministry of Health was scheduled to enter into force in June 2025. Dr. Muzaffar Al-Jalamdeh, Secretary of the Jordan Medical Association, stated: "The Association’s decision to suspend dealings with a number of insurance companies had only been taken after all available means and initiatives aimed at ensuring compliance with an agreement signed under the supervision of the Ministry of Health had been exhausted." Furthermore, Dr. Muzaffar Al-Jalamdeh asserted that insurance companies have consistently failed to pay financial dues within the 45-day deadline established by Central Bank regulations. These contractual obligations remain a central point of contention between the Association and the insurance providers.
Financial Pressures and Fee Structures
Dr. Muzaffar Al-Jalamdeh reported that annual insurance premiums have increased by more than 200%. Regarding the composition of healthcare costs, the Jordan Medical Association stated that doctors' fees account for no more than 18% of the total medical bill. These figures follow a prolonged period of stagnant pricing within the sector. The 2024 Doctors’ Fees Schedule had remained frozen for more than 18 years prior to its recent revision. This duration of price stability for professional services contrasts with the reported rise in premium costs for policyholders. Medical practitioners argue that these adjustments reflect the need to align compensation with current economic conditions. Representatives from the Jordan Medical Association continue to emphasize these financial metrics as central to the ongoing negotiations with insurance providers.
Impact on Patient Service Access
The Jordan Insurance Federation reported that 28 out of approximately 3,000 doctors refused to provide services to insured patients across Jordan. This refusal of care stems from the ongoing dispute between the Jordan Medical Association and insurance providers regarding fee schedules and contractual compliance. Patients seeking medical assistance now face limited access to these practitioners due to the withdrawal of services by the affected doctors. The number of physicians participating in this service stoppage represents a small portion of the total medical workforce, yet the federation remains concerned about the broader implications for policyholders. Administrative procedures continue to evolve as both the Jordan Insurance Federation and the Jordanian Association for Health Insurance manage the impact of these service disruptions on the regional healthcare system.
