A new benefit for seniors on the Health Insurance Plan is growing in popularity, according to Department of Social Insurance Director Karen Daniels.

The benefit came into play on June 20, and allows HIP policyholders over 65 to claim up to $1,000 annually in benefits to cover the cost of medication.

Pharmacies bill the Department of Social Insurance, which processes the claim, except for in the cases of TB and cancer medication, where patients pay for the medicine when they go to get it from the pharmacies, and the Department then reimburses those patients directly.

The Department also provides pharmacies with an updated policyholder listing which shows the remaining balance each patient has, indicating if patients have exceeded their $1,000 limit per year. As the process is still done manually it is still possible for patients to slip through the cracks and go over their limit unnoticed. Should that happen, said Ms Daniels, the seniors will then be charged for the difference.

Ms Daniels said she hoped the process would be fully automated by the end of the year.

"It has been working very well, people are enjoying the fruits of the benefit," she said. "I wish it was more, but it's a start."

Though she did not have actual numbers compiled yet, Ms Daniels said claims were not as high as the Department had expected. But she added: "People are catching on slowly, the numbers are definitely increasing."

To join HIP, applicants have to be of school age. Costing $133.20 per month, people can apply for HIP throughout the year. The normal application process involves medical history and other background information.

However, said Ms Daniels, in September and March there is an open registration period where anyone off the street can apply.