Mohammad Karaki, Director General of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), issued an administrative circular (No. 1641) dated July 2, 2025.
The new directive aims to standardize the criteria used by accredited hospitals in determining the discharge date of newborns in childbirth cases. The goal is to streamline hospitalization procedures and ensure a fair calculation of medical benefits.
It will result in the standardization of processing of hospitalization cases related to maternity, whether the mother and newborn are discharged simultaneously or separately. This will allow for a more accurate classification of medical transactions and a more realistic estimate of service costs.
The circular specifies that if the newborn is discharged at the same time as the mother, only one hospitalization procedure will apply, provided no specific medical condition requires separate care.
However, if the newborn remains hospitalized due to a medical issue, regardless of whether the mother has been discharged, two separate files will be created. The cost will then be calculated from the date the condition is identified until the newborn’s actual discharge date.
According to the NSSF public relations department, this measure aims to strengthen control over hospital billing, limit potential abuses related to manipulating discharge dates and protect Social Security funds from waste.
The policy also aligns with broader efforts to improve the national healthcare system by establishing transparent, consistent and fair standards in dealings with both partner hospitals and insured individuals.
Karaki reiterated the NSSF’s commitment to a comprehensive and integrated reform of the healthcare system, covering the entire insured lifecycle, from birth to retirement.
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