Health Minister Walter Roban alleged that some health insurance companies were turning their backs on seniors and refusing to cover those over 65.

Based on checks by this newspaper, it would appear that one company turns away anyone over 69-and-a-half while another has a cut-off age of 70.

The Royal Gazette called insurers, posing as someone looking to enrol a 65-year-old in an individual health plan. We were quoted the prices below by sales representatives. The costs listed do not take into account pricing fluctuations based on results of a physical examination.

This is what sales representatives told us:

Argus Insurance

Two options are offered. There is no age restriction attached to either plan although new customers over the age of 70 are not eligible for overseas treatment.

And existing Argus customers, regardless of age, can convert from a group health plan to either of these plans within 30 days of termination of employment without a physical exam.

The Essential Health Coverage includes local hospital visits as well as overseas care in the event of a life-threatening disease or accident. Insurance covering a stay in a public room at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) would cost a "subsidised senior" approximately $7,500 a year. Coverage including a semi-private room at the hospital would cost approximately $7,872.

The same plan would cost a non-subsidised senior approximately $10,932 in a public room and approximately $11,340 for coverage in a semi-private room.

The company also offers the Classic Plan which, in addition to hospital stays, includes visits to the doctor's office, preventive, diagnostic and laboratory services and partial prescription coverage. This can cost between $10,560 and $10,968 for subsidised seniors depending on whether they opt for a public or semi-private room.

For non-subsidised seniors, the same coverage would cost between $14,028 and $14,436 depending on whether they opt for a public or semi-private room.

The sales representative said some seniors were eligible for subsidised health care however the representative did not know what the requirements were.

BF&M

The sales representative said their plans cover people who are 69-and-a-half or younger.

The basic coverage, which includes local hospital visits as well as overseas care in the event of a life threatening circumstances, costs $5,000. Any additional coverage would require medical information, according to the sales representative.

Colonial Insurance

A sales representative said a 65-year-old female would be charged approximately $16,000 while a man of the same age would be charged $18,000 for a plan which covered major medical expenses including the option of being treated overseas. Dental and vision coverage would cost an additional, optional, $600. The sales representative said there was no age restriction to the coverage.

Freisenbruch Meyer

A sales representative said people over 70 would not be covered. A plan which included local and hospital, overseas hospital care as well as dental and vision coverage costs about $7,092, the representative said.

FutureCare

The Government programme will see seniors enrolled in it pay about $3,000 a year. This will entitle them to doctors visits, preventive, diagnostic and laboratory services, vision and dental coverage as well as partial prescription coverage and hospital visits. Overseas health care would be provided as necessary. Long-term skilled nursing services to seniors in their homes is also covered.