KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Private Security Regulations Authority (PSRA) is urging security guards to sign up for the self-contributory health insurance scheme that is provided through Guardian Life.

Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ yesterday, Executive Director of the PSRA, Rosalyn Campbell, said health insurance is one of the most basic rights that all employees should have, including security guards.

Campbell said the health insurance plan takes effect on April 1, 2017 and she is encouraging guards to meet the March 15 deadline for enrolment.

 She noted that guards who sign up their application before or by March 15 will not be required to do a medical to activate the service.

“We would love for all 20,000-plus security guards to sign up and access the benefits of this health insurance scheme. This programme offers one of the best coverage when compared to others, primarily because of the large number of guards registered to the PSRA system which will allow guards to get a wider range of services for less,” Campbell explained.

 “The PSRA is also facilitating the registration and payment for the health plan to make the process more convenient and flexible for the guards and each security guard is required to pay per quarter,” she added, noting that the first quarter begins April 1.

She pointed out that security guards can make payments in instalments at the PSRA office located at 12 Ocean Boulevard or do a direct deposit at the Bank of Nova Scotia, King Street branch, to account number 911960.

“Once the deposit is made to the bank, you can WhatsApp us the receipt at 485-8320 or scan a picture and email it to info@psra.gov.jm,” Campbell advised.

Campbell also made an appeal to security companies to partner with the PSRA on this milestone achievement by facilitating the deduction of payments from the salaries to aid in the ease of payment for the health plan.

 For her part, Client Relations Officer at Guardian Life Limited, Aldith Grant, said the organisation is excited to be on board with the PSRA to improve the working conditions of the security guards.

She said the plan has been expanded to include five options to address the varying salary scales of the registered security guards.

“No matter what your salary is, you should be able to select one of the five options because each option was created to meet the financial needs of the guard,” said Grant.

She informed that options one, two and three do not cover dental or optical visit, but they can be accessed through options four and five.

Option one is the most affordable plan for $997 per month for the employee only, and $1,995 per month for the employee and one family member.

For option two, the employee plan will cost $1,143 and $2,288 when a dependent is added. The option three plan is for $1,205 for the employee only, and $2,413 with the dependent.

Options four and five will cost $1,361 and $1,882 for employees only, and $2,724 and $3,767 with dependents, respectively.

The PRSA is a statutory body under the Ministry of National Security charged with the responsibility to monitor and regulate all stakeholders in the Private Security Industry.