Government is seeking vendor proposals for its FutureCare seniors healthcare scheme.

An advert has gone up on the Ministry of Health's website advising interested parties to get their bids in by April 11, and stating FutureCare will "ensure good access to effective, safe, coordinated and patient-centred healthcare" for all citizens over 65.

It explains that Government proposes setting up a fund to provide health insurance coverage for seniors through a "cooperative public-private partnership" involving Government, employers, citizens and expats.

It says that in the interest of financial viability Government would not be opposed to offering the plan to people under 65 at a later stage.

Government suggests one method of financing the scheme could be through contributions from employers and employed adults aged 20 to 64, with voluntary contributions from the elderly.

However, it states various alternatives for financing should be explored.

The news that FutureCare — a key part of the Progressive Labour Party's General Election platform — would be run by private contractors was announced in last week's Budget.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome has said seniors can expect full health insurance coverage by April 1 next year, and that actuarial studies are being performed to better understand what it needs to provide.

Currently people reaching retirement have few options if they cannot afford the insurance programme they had when they were employed.

One basic option is Government's Health Insurance Plan (HIP), which provides four visits to the doctors a year and $1,200 in prescription benefits, and costs $186.96 a month for seniors.

Potential vendors are expected to submit their plans, including the costs anticipated to implement the service and an outline of what role Government would be expected to play, to Permanent Secretary of Health Warren Jones.