Seniors not eligible for FutureCare and unable to afford private options will be able to enrol in Government's basic plan in January.

Yesterday, the Minister of Health announced that effective Monday 4th January 2010, people 65 and over will be eligible to enrol in the Government Health Insurance Plan (HIP).

This comes on the heels of the passage of the Health Insurance (No. 2) Amendment Act in the Legislature earlier this month.

Originally HIP was closed to people over 65 when Government implemented its first phase of FutureCare in April. Any senior on HIP at the time was enrolled in FutureCare, as were people who turned 65 subsequently.

All other seniors were expected to carry on using the same private health care options they had used prior to FutureCare being implemented.

However, soon after two low cost options for seniors in the private sector ceased to exist — something Government has roundly criticised.

This meant seniors were left to pay $5,000 to $18,000 for private health care.

As a result of this Government decided it would have to reopen HIP to seniors now left in the cold due to a change in the private insurance industry. This required an amendment which was passed by Senate a week ago.

Yesterday Minister Walter Roban "I am pleased to announce that HIP will now be available as an option for seniors of Bermuda who find themselves without an affordable health insurance option.

"The Government recognised a need and made it a priority to address that need.

"Effective Monday 4th January, seniors can complete application forms at our Health Insurance Department on the 2nd Floor of Sofia House on Church Street. This will see seniors being eligible for the same HIP benefits other HIP policy holders enjoy. Benefit brochures are available at www.hip.gov.bm."

The Minister went on to note: "I will be paying particular attention to the numbers that access this plan. Although we know that there is a segment of the senior population that has this need, we do not know the extent of the problem.

"In the days ahead, we will be highlighting HIP availability to seniors through the local media to ensure that those who require it can immediately access it and have a sense of comfort that their health needs can be addressed."

The second phase of FutureCare will be unveiled in April, it is not known how many people will be admitted nor what the eligibility requirements are.

Currently, there are 2,672 people enrolled in FutureCare which is approximately 33 percent of the senior population.