Elderly health insurance survey deadline extended

The deadline for opinions on how the Cayman Islands can better meet the healthcare needs of older people has been extended to Monday, April 30.

Residents of all ages have until then to complete the survey, which will help health insurance officials evaluate the possible development of a Standard Health Insurance Contract for those aged 65 and older.

The original deadline was Sunday, April 15.

According to Harvey Stephenson, chairman of the Health Insurance Commission, in 2016 there were some 4,000 people aged 65 and over in the Cayman Islands, with an average life expectancy of 82 years.

In an initial press release announcing the launch of the survey, Mr. Stephenson said, “Our aim is to better understand this population’s unique needs.

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“Questions we will be looking to answer include whether to create a special plan for them, how we might go about doing it, and whether there are other ways to achieve the same goal.”

He said the existing SHIC plan offers such things as maternity benefits, while older people might benefit instead from increased coverage for prescription medicines or outpatient visits.

This survey is being conducted by the healthcare consulting firm Morneau Shepell, which has been engaged by the Health Insurance Commission to undertake a feasibility study into the expansion of what the SHIC plan offers.

The survey, which contains 22 questions and takes about 20 minutes to complete, can be found at the Department of Health Regulatory Services website www.dhrs.gov.ky. Hard copies are available from the Health Insurance Commission kiosk at the Government Administration Building and from all district health clinics on all three islands, and may be returned to these places.

For more information, email [email protected].