Brasília – The national agency for private health plans, Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS), announced that it will begin regulating discount-health cards following a decision by the Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ). According to ANS president Wadih Damous, despite the fact that these cards are not health plans under current law, the agency must comply with the court ruling.

Discount-health cards — which grant access to consultations, exams and medications at reduced prices — will henceforth fall under ANS oversight. Damous noted that implementing such regulation may require hiring additional staff, given that the agency’s budget has remained virtually unchanged.

Source: Folha de S.Paulo