The SHB is the minimum health insurance coverage in Bermuda. Every employee, non-working spouse and child under the age of 18 is entitled to the care under the SHB by law. The determination of what benefits are eligible as SHB are set by Government.

Prior to June 1st, 2019, the premium collected under the SHB was primarily used to cover the majority of services performed by the Bermuda Hospital Board (BHB), including inpatient and outpatient services and diagnostic imaging, as well as services offered in the community by approved providers for dialysis, skilled nursing care in the home, and diagnostic imaging. The details of the SHB and these approved providers can be found on the Bermuda Health Council website. 

Effective June 1st, 2019, BHB services will no longer fall under the SHB, but will instead be financed by a Government block grant, funded through the MRF fee. Instead, SHB premiums retained by BF&M will only cover eligible SHB services offered in the community by approved providers.