We reproduce below our letters dated 26th February 2018 addressed to Shri V K Sharma, Chairman, LIC of India. With greetings. Comradely yours
General Secretary Date : 26th February 2018
Sri V K Sharma,
Chairman,
Life Insurance Corporation of India, MUMBAI.
Dear Sir,
Re : Group Mediclaim scheme for LIC Pensioners
We believe that LIC would have begun consultations and negotiations with the Insurer and will shortly be finalising the terms and conditions of the Group Medi-Claim Policy for the year 2018-19 and we would urge upon taking the few points, herein mentioned for active consideration.
Most of the issues have already been focussed by the Organisation earlier and many fall within the domain of the management.
You may be aware that the Group Medi-Claim Policy, does not cover dental related problems except under certain conditions as these normally do not require hospitalisation.
However with advanced age, need arises for root canal, tooth extract, dentures etc., involving heavy expenditure eating into the pension entitlement and we feel the pensioners should become entitled to reimbursement.
We request you to take up with the Insurer and ensure that Dental Care is included under the benefits available.
Similarly, with age advancing, pensioners require Hearing Aids, to enable them lead a normal life and with cost therefor being prohibitive pensioners genuinely expect reimbursement under Group Medi-Claim.
LIC may pursue with the Insurer for this also.
We have been receiving representations that reduction of proportionate hospitalisation expenses other than drugs, on the basis of actual Room Rent, over the prescribed limit hits them hard and that the limits prescribed have not factored in the ground realities and we feel the grievances are genuine.
We request you to negotiate with the Insurer for increase in ceiling on Room Rent to realistic levels and not to impose the punitive measures but to allow in full, all other admissible expenses.
We have come across cases, where claims have been disallowed, on the ground, that for the tests conducted, no hospitalisation is necessary, though after admission and tests, the patient is discharged with prescription of medicines.
Our contention is that no claim should be rejected, if there are records to show that the patient was treated as an in-patient.
We urge upon LIC to suitably take up the matter and ensure pensioners are not put to hardships on this count.
We are happy and thankful that Basic Sum Insured has been raised and we do hope this facilitates cover at affordable rates.
AIIPA has time and again represented that pensioners, who are out of the scheme now, should be granted an opportunity to join the scheme.
May be some were covered under different scheme earlier and had to opt out therefrom for some reason and some had exited under financial constraints.
We request LIC to appreciate the urgent need for these and their families to go in, for insurance cover and as an enlightened employer interested in the welfare of its pensioners, grant an one time option for all to enrol under Group Medi-Claim Scheme.
We believe the concept of adverse selection will not come in the way as that may not operate, considering the people already covered and the people to be given an option.
The claim experience of the past, we are sure, would enable LIC to negotiate for lowering the premium rates for the ensuing year and we desire that rates are judiciously arrived at.
Among the issues relating to Medi-Claim, the most important concerns, at least partial compensation of medical expenses now fully borne, by the pensioners towards Domiciliary treatment.
All India Insurance Pensioners' Association could convince, Sri. S. K. Roy, previous Chairman that the much needed relief had to be provided for in the form of Monthly Cash Medical Allowance.
We had in our earlier communication had mentioned that he had agreed to clinch the issue along with wage revision then due and now we impress upon the management to honour the commitment made.
AIIPA reiterates the demand and urges upon for immediate grant of Monthly Cash Medical Allowance to all pensioners.
On the death of the pensioner, the family pensioner gets drastically reduced family pension and finds it very difficult to pay the increased premium as she becomes the prime insured.
AIIPA wants some sympathetic considersation extended to them in the matter.
Domiciliary treatment and Hospitalisation, in cases of need, are very much part of the lives of pensioners at old ages and AIIPA requests LIC to decide favourably on all issues put forth. Thanking You, Yours faithfully, (T K Chakarborty) General Secretary Date: 26th February 2018
Shri.V K Sharma,
Chairman,
LIC of India,
Mumbai.
Dear Sir,
Improvements in LIC [Employees] Pension scheme, 1995
All India Insurance Pensioners' Association's efforts for finding solutions, for certain issues, have not been fruitful, because both the Government and the Management of LIC, that had indicated favourable inclination earlier, on Increased Ex -Gratia for pre- 1986 retirees and full neutralisation on dearness relief for pre- August 1997 pensioners, decided to take legal recourse.
Even on issues, that have not come for judicial review, the response has not been forthcoming and the management of L.I.C., it seems, adopts wait and watch policy. AIIPA had stressed the increased ex -gratia to pre-1986 retirees, does not fall, under the domain of Government Notification and number of beneficiaries was dwindling, with each passing day. Still the Government and LIC management have not come forward to grant the enhanced benefit to the senior most citizens, who are more than 92 years of age.
When AIIPA represented, that the benefit of uniform rate of 30% of family pension be extended to LIC Pensioners, citing the case of central Govt. pensioners and Reserve Bank of India, the response seemed to be one of reluctance and we felt that the management had some inhibitions in pursuing with the Government.
Grant of Pension on the basis of last drawn salary instead of average emoluments, entitlement for full pension with 20 years of service, increase in minimum pension are all issues taken up continuously by the organisation but with no positive response by the management of LIC.
All India Insurance Pensioners' Association urge upon the Management to concede the following demands immediately:
a. Increased ex- gratia for pre 1986 retirees;
b. Uniform Rate of Family Pension at 30% for all:
c. Increase in Minimum Pension:
d. Full Pension for 20 years of service covering earlier retirees also:
Computation of pension on the basis of last drawn salary with option to present pensioners to avail of the benefit.
as these are not being agitated upon before the courts.
Our demand for full neutralisation for Pre -August 1997 pensioners and updation of pension for all, remains and AIIPA requests for solution, not treating these as sub-judice in the best interest of all. Thanking You, Yours Faithfully ( T K Chakraborty) General Secretary
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