Resentment over SAIL Mediclaim 24-25

 

By e-mail: chairman.sail@sail.in

FORSE/SAIL-C/1024

July 16, 2024

To

Sri Amarendu Prakash,

Chairman,

Steel Authority of India Ltd,

Ispat Bhavan, Lodhi Road, 

New Delhi – 110 003.

Sub: Our strong resentment over highly unsatisfactory one-sided formulation and implementation of SAIL Mediclaim Scheme 24-25 and non- functional Payment Gateway.  

Sir, 

We are dismayed to get the new Mediclaim scheme for 24-25 for SAIL retirees made effective from 11th July 2024 just two days before the expiry of the running scheme keeping the members tense and also with the most clumsy and cumbersome payment procedures. (https://sailex.blogspot.com/2024/07/sail-mediclaim-scheme-24-25.html) SAIL instead of formulating a user friendly system have embarked upon a system which have made life miserable to many ageing and some handicapped retirees without any PC staying at remote places without cyber cafe in the vicinity. Mediclaim portal is working differently for different people at different times in different computers, laptops or mobiles. Payment system is taking money in selective cases and reports txn failed. Debit Cards are still not operational. Some people have paid twice. Concerned personnel may please be advised either to rectify the system and make it operational including with Debit Cards or go back to the old system of payment through SB Collect. It is further reported by members in Kolkata and various Steel Townships that cyber café are charging Rs700-800 per case for renewal, an additional financial burden on Retirees.

We are sorry to say that this system has unilaterally thrust upon the members without any prior information. As on date also many members could not complete the formalities and remained uncovered. It really haunts our minds as to what could be the reason for introducing the new system.

But most significantly to ventilate our strong indignation over the sharp increase in premiums payable by members ranging from around 21 to 22 % over last year without any material benefit to the distressed members.

In fact the average overall percentage increase in totality has been 80% compared to premium paid 3 yrs. back without any benefit excepting increase in IPD limits and treatment for macular eye disease. We just cannot accept such a hefty increase and it has become unbearable. The logic of calculating percentage of premium shared by the members over the total premium paid by the Company ranging from 20-30 % prima facie is illogical now and is dubbed as Draconian decision.

We agree that Insurance companies might have increased their tariff but such additional burden should be taken by SAIL as a benevolent Maharatna Company even as CSR to brighten the image and impress upon outsiders including ISO auditors. The retirees never expected such shoddy treatment from the organisation at the fag end of their life after serving 35-40 years long compared to others at par PSUs. The comparable post superannuation benefits chart of some major PSUs were earlier incorporated in our comprehensive note sent to you on 27th April 2024. (https://sailex.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-comprehensive-demand-for-healthcare.html) We had also drawn your kind attention in the same note towards various provisions eg Art 36-51 with amendment in Art 44 which envisages safeguard of health and security and inter alia minimizing inequalities and discrimination. SAIL as PSU cannot shirk such responsibility being an extension of state as pronounced earlier by higher courts.

In fact we wish to point out that none of our demands as serialized from 1 to 26 in our note has been considered by SAIL in the new policy neither in letter nor in spirit even some without any financial implications. We have been cajoling for an interface with FORSE before formalizing any such scheme having far reaching consequences who are having better insight and exposures. We never intended to participate in tender finalisation. It may be mentioned with all humility that as beneficiary and with partial financial sharing we derive consequential right to be called for in the pre launching phase.

Be that what may be, we record our strong resentment brewing all over on this disdainful scheme which instead of bringing happiness and relief to the financially disparaged retirees languishing miles away virtually brought tears.

On the operational parameters, pending detailed study at unit level we had a cursory look. The most shocking part is that no increase has been made in OPD coverage in spite of most reasonable demand in view of sharp increase in consultation charges in identified centers and increase in pathological and diagnostic charges. Our request for allowing OPD treatment by RMP in vicinity at cheaper rates specially for small ailments having lesser burden and optimum utilization of the allocated fund within ceiling has also not been agreed.

We have also asked for removal of the capping system in most hospitals, additional charges are levied in other some head. It is a pity that other charges to be reimbursed are kept at the same level although hospitals have affected hefty increase everywhere.

It is ridiculous to note that additional coverage of Rs 5 lakhs has been allowed for treatment of cancer patients, fair enough to start with but why for first incidence cases. It is a terminal disease and treatment is a long drawn process. How someone can be deprived if the disease is diagnosed before Eleventh July. It looks amazing and hence needs modification.

Under item 10.1 certain relaxation has been given in respect of room rents but why for E 8 that too only for those who got separated on First Jan 2017. What is the logic and why this discrimination among the retirees? Why has it not been given for all to opt?

We are terribly frustrated with such aberrations and in entirety with the tardy formulation of such a sensitive scheme impacting the whole SAIL retirees’ community who have been intensely resenting and living with simmering discontent.

It is very unfortunately a sad commentary of the enlightened organisation how its retirees are treated that even a meeting with them is not held where in other large PSUs like IOC, ONGC etc. periodic meetings are organised.

As a professional body normally we don’t wish to ventilate in Public domain or contemplate to plan for embarking on a certain agitational path at the moment but certainly for an immediate meeting with FORSE. We also demand free treatment for SAIL Retirees. That means, SAIL’s share of contribution to the premium must be raised to 100% (Zero contribution from SAIL Retirees). Our other immediate demand is that please get the Mediclaim Renewal portal efficiently operational soon so that Members do not get sick for the transaction failure.

With kind regards,  

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of Federation of Retired SAIL Employees

(V N Sharma)

Chairman

(Ram Agar Singh)

General Secretary