Rewritten Title: Parliament Addresses Retiree Healthcare: Navigating Insurance Renewal and Cost Challenges
Article:
In a focused response to recent developments, Iranian parliamentary authorities are actively addressing the renewal of supplemental health insurance for the nation’s retirees, emphasizing a commitment to safeguarding their welfare.
Parliamentary Appreciation and Proactive Measures
Mohammad Jamalian, a member of the Parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission, began by expressing gratitude to Mostafa Salari, the head of the Social Security Organization, for his dedication to defending the rights of retirees and pensioners. Jamalian stressed that the necessary arrangements for renewing the supplemental insurance contract with the High Council of Retirees should have been finalized earlier, prior to the expiration of the previous agreement.
The Critical Role of Supplemental Insurance
Highlighting the importance of this issue, Jamalian noted that the Commission is deeply concerned with the affairs of the elderly and retiree insurance. “Today, healthcare costs are a significant pressure on the economy of retirees,” he stated. “Supplemental insurance makes these costs manageable, and this is achieved with the support of pension funds.”
He further clarified that, according to Article 54 of the Social Security Law, the organization is obligated to cover the outpatient and inpatient treatment costs of the insured. This is provided free of charge at the organization’s own medical centers and through co-payments reimbursed by supplemental insurance at contracted facilities.
Addressing Renewal Delays and Cost Negotiations
The member of parliament explained that the annual contract for the supplemental medical insurance of Social Security retirees had not been renewed on schedule this year, leading to concerns. The primary reason cited for the delay was the high premium price proposed by the insurance provider, Ayandeh Sazan Hafez.
Providing figures, Jamalian noted that last year’s monthly premium was 450,000 Tomans, with 50% paid by the Social Security Organization and the remainder by the retiree. This year, after negotiations, a figure of 780,000 Tomans was proposed. However, the head of the Social Security Organization has stated that a payment of 550,000 Tomans is still high for retirees, and a request has been made for the insurance company to lower its proposed rate.
Immediate Solutions and Future Pathways
To manage the situation during the renewal process, the Social Security Organization has instructed its own medical centers to prioritize and accept retirees without waiting in line.
Jamalian confirmed that in a recent meeting with the head of the Social Security Organization, the issue of supplemental insurance was followed up on, and Mr. Salari pledged to resolve the contract matter. Furthermore, an alternative plan is being prepared. Should an agreement on the premium not be reached, the Social Security Organization will reach an understanding with the Ministry of Health. Under this plan, all university medical centers would provide complete medical services to retirees free of charge, with the organization covering all associated costs.