As part of government’s agreement with BUPA,
the company that provides health insurance for public officers and retirees in the territory, premium costs will rise by nine percent at the end of the contract’s first year on March 31, Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton said Monday night.
“We have to make a bold decision as to whether or not we will ask premium owners to pay any portion of it, or the government will underwrite it for the next year or two until the national health insurance comes on stream,” Mr. Skelton said during the National Democratic Party’s radio programme.
He said government pays half the insurance cost now, and it will pay at least half of the increase.
Retirees, who pay the full cost of their care, will have to pay the full cost of the increase, Mr. Skelton said.
“Based on your policy, you will probably have to pay about 45 more dollars to your insurance,” Mr. Skelton told Eileene Parsons, who hosts the show.
See the March 22, 2012 issue for full coverage.
{fcomment}