This has reference to the SAIL Mediclaim Scheme for Retired Employees (SMSRE) issued yesterday which, even on surficial reading, appears to be going from bad to worse by the day both in presentation of contents and its effect on the retired employees. Most important of them is the exponential increase in the Premium to be paid by the individual retiree/ spouse without improvement in the services and coverage of Healthcare parameters. Further, it is difficult to comprehend SAIL: Member (below 70 year age) on 70:30 formula or any other Ratio for other age groups which, as communicated by us in the past is a serious violation of provisions of natural justice and other standing laws of the land as much as it is against the SAIL’s commitment to proper care taking of Retirees as per Agreements and provisions of employment conditions. The issue of payment of ever-increasing premium has put all the ageing retirees disparaged and panicky. Other issues are stated below:
1. It is something peculiar that the SMSRE circular does not have the names of Insurance company nor that of the TPA.
2. The mode of payment excludes the use of Debit Card for online payment through SBI collect. It is not clear why SAIL is allergic to use of Debit card
3. I understand that even the Premiums mentioned are wrong and will be corrected through a Corrigendum.
4. As a follow up of SMSRE circular dated 10th April this year, (a) it has no provisions to enforce 6-point Role and responsibilities on HoPs and different personnel including appointment of Nodal Officers. (b) Also bi-monthly meetings between SAIL and FORSE-affiliated Retirees Associations are visible nowhere.
5. Mediclaim coverage between April 11-July 10, 2019: SAIL stand in respect of OPD and IPD treatment during the period 11th April to 10th July 2019 period and entertainment of claim bills for the expenses incurred by the retirees is absent. This is in complete violation of principle of natural justice, unethical and against consumer act and IRDA as already pointed out. It should be specifically spelt out as such bills are not being accepted by the TPA /Insurance company
It is strongly felt that SAIL should bear such expenses or prevail upon Insurance company to reimburse such cost as the members have paid their part of premium for three months period for having such coverage
It intrigues our mind where such money so collected has gone The members should get back the amount. This issue needs to be tackled by SAIL and Insurance company and certainly the members continue to suffer as SAIL Personnel Directorate remains a mute spectator as usual The responsibility for dealing and tardy implementation of whole scheme of so sensitive a nature involving more than lakh of retirees needs to be fixed as early as possible When someone at that level at decision making authority takes a lukewarm attitude and lacks the competence and vision, our Federation help and involvement could have been sought which were offered from initiation stage
Sir, the issues raised above indicate that SAIL is adopting non-helpful attitude/ policies towards the retired employees by (i) imposing ever increasing premium that too, without increase in the facilities and cappings, (ii) reducing coverage under IPD/ Cashless. Further, the above 5 paras indicate that SAIL has adopted casual approach even in preparing and circulating mediclaim circular so sensitive in nature. It may please be noted that the insensitivity and casual approach by SAIL in issuing SMSRE circular in April ended, as mentioned in para 5 above, for all practical purposes in fiasco which continues to haunt the Retirees even today.
Sir, we request you to kindly review the circular and take appropriate actions, in light of your own assurances given to us on 29th Dec 2019, by removing payment of premium by Retirees and permitting them a Healthcare policy at par with serving employees, improving Healthcare systems, facilities and communications, settling Mediclaim coverage issue wefApril 11, to July 10, 2019 within a fixed time-frame and issuing a fresh circular complete by all means.
With thanks and kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
For & on behalf of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees
(V.N.Sharma)
Chairman
(Ram Agar Singh)
General Secretary
Copy to:
Director (P), SAIL, Director (F), SAIL
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