WITH life expectancy on a steady rise, health care for the elderly is becoming increasingly important to enhance quality of life. The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) is fulfilling its mandate to promote healthy ageing and wellness in partnership with Sagicor Life Jamaica.

CCRP is the holder of a specially created major medical group health insurance plan for people aged 50 and over.

There are 396 CCRP members currently enrolled on the plan, which expires October 31 with the renewal period open in November.

Dorett Linton, CCRP’s acting CEO, is encouraging young professionals to register elderly parents, family members and loved ones to the major medical health insurance plan.

“Taking care of the ageing population is at the heart of CCRP. We are encouraging young persons to sign up their parents, grandparents and other loved ones for the plan. While it is very affordable, there are some who cannot make the stretch as most are pensioners, but they stand to benefit greatly from the plan. You never know when illness or an accident can strike and the families often bear the brunt of the expenses; it is best to be prepared,” she noted.

Indeed, younger people who have enrolled their loved ones on the plan are praising the insurance as a godsend.

“When I heard about the plan, I immediately decided to enrol my parents to CCRP and to get them on the health insurance plan,” one woman said.

“About a year after enrolment my mother began having serious health issues, having to go through a hysterectomy and later being diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, the plan was intact and she could focus on her treatment plan, getting healthy and not stressing about the financial burden. I can’t say just how grateful I am that I had the foresight to get her registered and that there was a major medical health plan available for her as she is over 60 and retired. It was the last thing my family expected to hear, but thankfully we were prepared for it,” she continued.

One man had plans to enrol his parents to the plan, but laments that he did not follow through.

“I had planned to enrol my parents but kept putting it off. Later, my father had a terrible fall and I had to pay all his medical bills, including surgical fees out-of-pocket. While I was able to manage, it was very difficult and much of the burden could have been eased if he was registered for the plan. It’s true that you never know what can happen, so I’m definitely going to get them on the plan,” he reported.

The Sagicor-CCRP major medical plan has no upper age limit and covers laboratory and X-ray services, diagnostic services, hospitalisation services and surgical benefits as well as overseas emergency benefits up to $5 million.

There is a six-month waiting period before subscribers become eligible to access claims. The plan is ongoing and open to all CCRP members.