In a setback to cancer patients, the only company providing mediclaim to the affected, for the entire life with only one premium, has decided to rethink on the policy after rising number of claimants in the last few years.
In a setback to cancer patients, the only company providing mediclaim to the affected, for the entire life with only one premium, has decided to rethink on the policy after rising number of claimants in the last few years.
In 1994, the Cancer Patient Aid Association (CPAA) introduced the cancer insurance policy in collaboration with New India Assurance Company. The policy was available to healthy individuals not having suffered from cancer in the past.
However, in June the company stopped giving money to the claimants. Later, on the CPAA’s intervention, it agreed to pay people who were insured till before November 2010.
“I had taken the policy a few years back. When I was detected with brain cancer, the policy came to my rescue. But when I went to claim the insurance, I was denied money,” said Prasad Rekhi, one of the 12,000 members of cancer insurance policy. Rekhi is still awaiting his cheque.
CPAA director Anita Peter said, “The insurance company had not revised its rate since 1994 and wanted to bring in some changes in the MoU.
They have asked us not to enrol new applicants till a new MoU is in place. We hope the company makes the changes soon as the number of people calling up for policy is increasing.”
The CPAA, which works for the welfare of cancer patients, had worked out the policy to help people during the treatment.
A New Indian Insurance policy official said, “In the revised MoU, we plan to increase the premium amount. We are also mulling an increase in the claim amount from Rs1 lakh to may be Rs3 lakh to Rs4 lakh. However, we are thinking of restricting the benefit to only one year after cancer detection. So far, the policy holders were given money, every year after detection.”
At present, more than 12,000 members are registered with CPAA and 195 have been detected with cancer. “The number of claimants is rising. As cases of cancer are increasing in the city, it is difficult to continue with the earlier terms and conditions,” maintained the official.
“The company should not stop the policy as it is a boon for cancer patients. Unlike other diseases, cancer takes time and the family suffers financially. Many people cannot afford the treatment. I have benefited immensely from the policy and want others to get the same benefits. My doctor’s family too got themselves enrolled on seeing the benefits,” added Rekhi.
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