Ministry of Labour & Social Security

		PRINT THIS			SEND TO A FRIEND

Some 5,524 pensioners in Clarendon are accessing benefits under the NIGold programme, which was established under the National Insurance Scheme by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Clarendon's Parish Manager in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Delroy Palmer noted that this represented 70 more persons than the 5,454 persons who benefitted under the Health Insurance Scheme as at March 15, 2004.

"One hundred per cent of our registered pensioners have been issued with health cards .the benefits under the NIGold programme are very attractive presently and the pensioners who receive these benefits are very grateful. Based on the town meetings that we have and from day to day consultation with them visiting the office or calling in they are extremely pleased and have given a lot of credit to the programme and the Ministry for what they've been doing for the pensioners," he told JIS News.

Mr. Palmer mentioned that all pensioners registered under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) automatically qualify and are registered for the NIGold programme. He explained further that the rise in the number of persons benefiting was as a result of an increase in the number of pensioners in the parish.

The NIGold Plan is administered by Blue Cross of Jamaica under a contract, which is in effect for December 1, 2003 to March 31, 2006.

According to Mr. Palmer, the NIGold plan covers expenses including room and board at a hospital, in-hospital, miscellaneous expenses and outpatient services, surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees, doctor's home, office and hospital visits, consultancy fees, diagnostic services, prescription drugs, and dental and optical services.

He pointed out that pensioners were allowed up to $4,000 per annum for prescription drugs, $2,000 per annum for dental and optical services, as well as $3,000 for diagnostic services and were required to pay only $1,000 for surgical procedures with the NIGold covering up to $30,000 per surgery.

Mr. Palmer further said that pensioners would be required to pay a nominal amount for some services. He also urged beneficiaries to carry their NIGold card at all times to access the full range of benefits under the programme.

		PRINT THIS			SEND TO A FRIEND