The Argus Group said there was a massive response on Friday for its new health insurance plan.

?The general response from the public has been overwhelming,? Argus President and CEO Gerald Simons said. ?In fact, I have received one or two telephone calls congratulating Argus on launching this new product?.

On Thursday, Argus made it cheaper for individuals to get insurance, without being part of a group policy with two new plans, Essential Health and Classic Health.

However, he admitted the new individual policies are still more expensive than group ones and have a cut-off age of 70.

?We have really been overwhelmed with the number of people coming into the office and telephoning in,? Cindy Campbell, executive vice president of group insurance said.

She said they had to temporarily move staff from other departments to help with inquiries. At least 100 people were interested so far, she said.

She said some were simply gathering information while others signed up for the plan.

When asked whether the stampede underlined the need for affordable health insurance in Bermuda, Mr. Simons said: ?There is always a concern about health insurance being affordable. One of our concerns this new product addresses is the issue of the availability of comprehensive health insurance coverage, which is what our overseas part of the policies provide?.

Mr. Simons said major medical insurance would be available under these personal policies.

The price of these policies change according to the client?s age. Prices begin at $135 for a 17 year old but can increase up to $500 and more, he said. ?It varies with age just as life insurance does?.

An 84-year-old woman, who requested anonymity,v said this week she was paying $241.39 per month for her individual insurance policy at Somers Isles Insurance Company Limited.

She said she retired in 1991 when she was 70 and the cost of her policy ?goes up every year on March 1?.

Encouraged by Mr. Simons? announcement, she phoned Argus but was told extra benefits including doctors? visits, prescription drug benefits and annual medical exams would cost $680 per month.