The Office bearers / Central Committee Members
A.I.B.R.F.
Dear Comrades
Re: Office Bearers Meeting through video conferencing
On Saturday 29.08.2020
Re: Proceedings
Office Bearers Meeting as scheduled was held on 29.08.2020 through video conferencing. Attendance was
100 per cent and all 48 office bearers were present in the meeting.
2.In the meeting, the issue of Group health Insurance scheme and its relevant issues with special reference
to forthcoming renewal due on 1.11.2020 were discussed at length. About 30 Office Bearers participated in
the discussion and presented their views like (a) expressing their concern on steep increase in premium rates
of IBA policy in last 3 years and consequence of this , it has resulted in fast decrease in rate of participation (b)
overall review of IBA policy (c) review of steps taken by AIBRF toward reduction of premium for next renewal
(d) present status of availability of alternate group policy with affordable premium in compliance of resolution
passed in Delhi Conference on the subject (e) Consideration of two alternate proposals available (f) Problems
being faced by affiliates/ members in dealing with TPAs.
3. After the deliberations and detailed reply on the above points given by the General Secretary, the
following decisions were taken unanimously
(a) It was noted by the house that process of inviting tender and finalizing premium rates for next renewal
in IBA has already started and likely to be completed in coming days. AIBRF has taken several
organisations steps in last one year representing IBA/ UFBU for reduction in premium to make the
policy affordable for all section of retirees. Suggestion given by AIBRF include capping on certain
claims, reduction in GST rates on premium, subsidy from banks on premium etc. In view of this, the
house decided to wait for outcome of tender process and response of IBA/ UFBU on our suggestions
and then take formal decision of launching alternate policy for left over.
(b) AIBRF shall continue to take organisational steps on regular basis to bring improvements in IBA scheme
to ensure that it becomes viable and sustainable scheme on long term basis
(c) AIBRF shall launch organisational programs in coming days once Covid situation improves for bringing
down GST rates on premium and uniform subsidy for payment of premiums.
(d) On the proposal of Oriental Insurance Company in circulation, it is observed that it is omnibus type
policy available on shelf like other group insurance policy launched by banks and available on shelf. It
was also noted that this policy is designed for retirees from all sector. The house was of the view that
It may be considered at local/ regional level if found suitable by affiliates/ local groups of individual
retirees. On such omnibus policy, AIBRF has hardly any role to play. However. while adopting such
policy and recommending to retirees, precaution may be taken to see that it does not disintegrate
retirees on health insurance issue and cause damage to the concept of uniform medical scheme for
bank retirees which we have been able to achieve in last 5 years with long struggle and it has given
new dimension and direction on the issue of health insurance resulting into important and powerful
issue for retirees. In the coming years, if we are able to achieve uniform subsidy for payment of
insurance premium for retirees, for which beginning is already made in SBI, migration of left over to
main stream will be strenuous task for the organisation as we have witnessed in exercise of pension
option noticed between 2000 t0 2010.
(e) The house took note of tailor made proposal for group insurance already available to AIBRF. Efforts
may be made to obtain some more tailor made proposals so affordable alternate insurance scheme
may be introduced for left over retirees as per the direction of General Council decision in Delhi
conference, in due course after seeing outcome of tender process of IBA for next renewal. For this
purpose sub-committee of 3 members consisting (1) Chairman (2) President & (3) General Secretary
was constituted who will look into all aspects of alternate tailor made proposals and submit the report
by end of September, 2020 for taking final decision by Office- Bearers Committee.
(f) The resolution circulated was adopted with some modifications unanimously expressing AIBRF stand
on health insurance. Copy of modified resolution is enclosed .
(g) It was decided to hold one more meeting of office bearers to discuss other pending items of agenda.
With warm greetings,
Yours Sincerely,
(S.C.JAIN)
GENERAL SECRETARY
RESOLUTION CUM PROPOSALS ON HEALTH INSURANCE
ADOPTIOED BY OFFICE BEARERS
MEETING TO BE HELD ON 29.08.2020
1. It is noted with satisfaction the continuous actions/ steps taken by AIBRF during last one and half years
since Delhi Conference by way of submission of representations to IBA, UFBU , Members of Parliament
offering suggestions to ensure reduction in premium and other improvements needed in the scheme to make
the group insurance policy affordable. AIBRF efforts and struggle have been found to be continuous ,
extensive and intensive.
2. In Delhi Conference, concern was expressed on steep increase in premium rates in IBA policy during last 4
years making it gradually unaffordable for large section of retirees. Unanimous resolution was passed by the
general Council for exploring possibility of alternate policy for retirees at affordable premium so maximum
number of retirees can participate in the scheme. This meeting once again retreads AIBRF commitment to
take all possible steps to find suitable group policy at affordable premium, within IBA scheme or if situation
so warrants, outside IBA scheme.
3. In view of inherent benefits likely to accrue in coming days and track record of liberal claim settlement in
last 5 years giving confidence to retirees in going for treatment in case of need without much financial
burden on them, in Core Committee Meeting held in June 2020 it was decided that as far as possible first
preference of retirees for group insurance should be IBA policy. It is now affirmed and resolved that AIBRF
shall continue to take steps to bring improvements in IBA scheme simultaneous with efforts/ steps for
reduction of premiums to make affordable for one and all.
4. AIBRF has made sustained efforts for reduction of premium and offered several suggestions in this regard
It is seen that AIBRF suggestions are under active consideration of UFBU and IBA and some of them may be
positively considered while finalizing terms and conditions of next renewal. In view of this, it is resolved
that at all India level, retiree under the banner of AIBRF should wait for final outcome before taking final
view on alternate policy.
5. It is further resolved that AIBRF should continue to take simultaneous steps to hold discussion with
insurance companies for designing suitable group insurance policy as an alternate with affordable premium
in case need arises after outcome of terms and conditions for renewal finalized by IBA. While identifying
such policy, it should be ensured that fine balancing is drawn between affordable premium and terms and
conditions for claims which do not put undue pressure on retirees. It should be ensured that such policy
should be of all India character with common entry and exit dates. Further, it should be ensured that any
policy identified outside IBA should also provide option of Super Top Policy.
6. Since last few years AIBRF has launched sustainable and continuous organisational action programs to
achieve demand of subsidy from bank managements on uniform basis and bringing GST rates from present 18
percent to Zero level on payment of insurance premium as a part of long term solution for sustainability of the
group health insurance scheme for retirees. It is further resolved that AIBRF shall continue its organisational
efforts and pursue them vigorously till they are achieved.
7. Office bears Committee meeting took decision to appeal our affiliates, office bearers, central committee members
to explain AIBRF stand on health insurance policy and its continuous struggle to the membership in order to remove
their confusion and misgivings so we can work in coordinated manner in this area.
No comments:
Post a Comment