Rewritten Title: Urgent Call for Resolution as Retirees’ Supplemental Health Insurance Lapses
Article:
A pressing issue concerning the healthcare coverage of millions of retirees has prompted calls for immediate government intervention, highlighting a critical phase in the administration of social welfare programs.
A Contract in Limbo
At the heart of the matter is the expiration of the supplemental health insurance contract for 4.5 million retirees covered by the Social Security Organization. The agreement with the insurer, Atyeh Sazan, concluded at the end of the Iranian month of Aban and has not been renewed due to a failure to reach new terms. This has left a significant portion of the nation’s retirees without crucial supplementary medical coverage.
Protecting Retirees from Financial Pressure
Seyed Mohammad Jamalian, a member of the Parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission, has been vocal in criticizing the delay. He clarified that the Social Security Organization found the new premium price proposed by Atyeh Sazan to be unreasonably high and therefore unacceptable. The organization’s managing director stated that accepting such an increase would place an undue financial burden on retirees, who share the cost of this insurance, a position framed as a protective measure for a vulnerable group.
Systemic Gaps and Essential Coverage
While the law stipulates that basic medical services should be provided free of charge by the Social Security Organization, Jamalian explained that the necessary infrastructure is not yet fully prepared. Many specialized services are only available at specific owned centers, which are insufficient to meet demand. This systemic gap makes supplemental insurance essential for comprehensive care. Last year, the cost was shared equally between the organization and the retirees.
The current impasse arose after the Social Security Organization announced it would not increase its share of the premium from last year’s rate. Consequently, the retirees’ portion would have to surge dramatically, leading to the non-renewal of the contract.
Real-World Consequences and Public Discontent
The lapse in coverage has caused significant confusion and hardship, particularly for hospitalized patients. Jamalian reported instances of patients, including those awaiting heart surgery, being suddenly informed that they must pay out-of-pocket for services no longer covered. This situation has reportedly sparked a wave of dissatisfaction across the country.
A Call for Swift Government Action
Jamalian described the delay in decision-making as a “mismanagement” and emphasized that retirees and their families, already facing economic challenges, are bearing the cost of this administrative deadlock. He has called on the managing director of the Social Security Organization to urgently resolve the status of the supplemental insurance.
The volume of calls and complaints from retirees underscores that the current situation is untenable. There is a clear expectation for the responsible government body to finalize a new contract promptly, ensuring the welfare and peace of mind of the nation’s retirees.