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Department of Social Insurance: PENSIONS SECTION. Work Responsibilities and Personnel. Supervises: Accounting, Computerization Financial Reporting Pension Benefits Compliance Contributions. Supervises: National Pensions Administration National Health Insurance.
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Work Responsibilities and Personnel • Supervises: • Accounting, Computerization • Financial Reporting • Pension Benefits • Compliance • Contributions • Supervises: • National Pensions Administration • National Health Insurance • Manages all compliance functions for CPF & HIP • Supervises Team of 4 Inspectors • Manages all aspects of benefits processing • Supervises Team of 3 Benefits Processors • Manages all aspects of contributions processing • Supervises Team of 5 Contributions Processors & Cashiers
The Contributory Pension Fund Who to Call • Contributions – Hot Line 295-5151 Ext 1117 • Benefits – Joy Joell 295-5151 Ext 1129 • Compliance – Sherie Wilson 295-5151 Ext 1787 Or Go Online • www.socialinsurance.gov.bm
The Contributory Pension Fund Contributions • Persons working 4 or more hours/week • Employer/Employee 50/50 • Only employed persons liable • Contribution week Monday - Sunday • Contribution year 1st Monday in August • One contribution per week • Deducted at time of payment • Current weekly rate $56.96/$28.48
The Contributory Pension Fund Benefits • Contributory old age pension • Widow’s allowance or widower’s allowance • Contributory disability benefit • Credits of contributions • Old age gratuity
The Contributory Pension Fund Contributory Old Age Pension • 65 Years of age • Minimum pension =/> 975 total • contributions • Full pension =/> 1,950 total contributions • Pro rated between 50% - 100% • Benefit month 16th – 15th • Paid in arrears • Payable for life • Payable in currency of choice
The Contributory Pension Fund Widow’s/Widower’s Allowance • Married longer than 3 years • Surviving spouse under 50 years with no children under the age of 16, benefit paid for 26 weeks • Surviving spouse under 50 years with child or children under 16 years, benefit paid until each child is 16 years • A widow or widower who remarries or cohabits with a man/woman as her/his spouse disqualified
The Contributory Pension Fund Widow’s/Widower’s Allowance • As each child attains 16 years he/she no longer qualifies for a benefit. • When surviving parent is under 50 the widow’s/widower’s allowance will stop at the end of the school year in which the youngest child is 16.
The Contributory Pension Fund Widow’s/Widower’s Allowance • Surviving spouse > 50 years when youngest child is 16, the widow’s/widower’s allowance paid until the surviving spouse is 65 years. • At 65 the surviving must decide whether to retain the allowance or accept her/his pension
The Contributory Pension Fund Disability Benefit • Unable to work due to physical or mental disability • 18 years/gainfully employed immediately preceding the date of the incapacitation • Persons must be incapacitated for a continuous period of 52 weeks
The Contributory Pension Fund Disability Benefit • The yearly average of contributions paid by the incapacitated person is not less than 25 • Incapacity must be certified by physician
The Contributory Pension Fund Widow’s/Widower’s Gratuity • Widow/widower ineligible for widow’s/widower’s allowance, • Equal to the total value of all contributions paid by the deceased spouse.
The Contributory Pension Fund Gratuity • Age 65 years • Person does not qualify for a contributory old age pension • A lump sum one time payment of the contributions paid by the employer and employee – without interest
The Contributory Pension Fund Disqualification A person receiving any benefit under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1970 is disqualified for continuing to receive such benefit where he/she is undergoing imprisonment or preventive detention in pursuance of a sentence passed on conviction for an offence.
Frequently Asked Questions • How much will my pension be? • Based on the average # of contributions. • Why haven’t I received my pension? • Pension is paid on the 15th. • Can I take my money when I leave? • Pension is payable at 65. • Can I receive pension outside Bermuda? • Yes except for non-contributory.
Frequently Asked Questions • If I die where does my money go? • To your spouse. If no spouse stays in fund. • Do I get interest on my money? • No. • Am I eligible for War Veterans Pension? • Yes, if you are Bermudian and served in the Second World War. • Can I receive pension outside Bermuda? • Yes except for non-contributory.
Frequently Asked Questions • Can I get pension earlier than 65? • No. • What happens if I do not qualify for a pension? • You will receive a gratuity and can then apply for a Non Contributory Pension.
Health Insurance Plan Dept. of Social Insurance Senior’s Day Thu. June 12, 2008 Collin J. Anderson
Top 10 Questions • What benefits does HIP cover? • I have always paid my premium, but why has HIP not paid all my bill? • Why does my premium increase every year? • My Doctor said HIP hasn’t paid yet, why is that? • Why does my prescription drug benefit run out?
Top 10 Questions (cont.) • How do I obtain my prescription drug balance? • How do I obtain my HIP policy number or ask general questions? • Can I pay my HIP premium online? • What is the difference between HIP and GEHI? • Does HIP offer Dental coverage?
1. What Does HIP Cover? HIP benefits include: • Standard Hospital Benefits & • Supplemental Medical Benefits Please collect one of our brochures at the HIP table in the rear
A. Standard Hospital Benefits KING EDWARD VII MEMORIAL HOSPITAL • In-patient Stay (public ward rate) • Out-patient treatment: • Emergency treatment (ambulance-in) • Laboratory • Nuclear Medicine • Diagnostic Imaging • X-ray • Ultrasound • C.T. Scan • M.R.I • Rehabilitation Treatment Unit • Home Health Care • Kidney Transplants (up to $30,000) • Dental treatment for persons with medical or mental illness • Artificial Limbs & Appliance (life-time benefit of up to $15,000) ....AND .....BENEFITS ARE PORTABLE OVERSEAS !!!
Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute In-patient treatment (40 days per year) In-patient detoxification (alcohol and heroin) included under Mid-Atlantic per diem. Unlimited out-patient treatment
Standard Hospital Benefits (cont.)SERVICES AT PRIVATE FACILITIES DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING Bermuda Tb., Cancer & Health Association Bermuda Healthcare Services Ltd. Bermuda Eye Institute (Dr. L. Teye-Botchway) Dr. Charles Dyer Dr. Alicia Stovell
What are SHBs? Standard Hospital Benefits (SHB) = treatment in hospital in Bermuda (All local insurers must provide SHB at minimum) Additional benefits beyond this are known variously as ‘supplemental’ benefits or ‘major medical’ The Bermuda Health Council (BHeC) has remit over SHB determination HIP = SHB + Supplemental Medial Benefits (SMB)
B. Supplemental Medical Benefits Physicians & Specialists Four (4) Office Visits per year (at $42 each) Home Visits (up to 4 visits per month) ($82) Pre-admission consultation ($100) GPs In-patient visits (up to $704) Anesthesia (in hospital) (up to $1,042) Internal Medicine Specialists (up to $1,461) Surgery (in hospital) (up to $1,880) Obstetrics ($3,061) PRESCRIPTION DRUGS up to $1,200 per year (for persons 65 years +)
Supplemental Medical (cont.)Private Laboratory Facilities Lab Test Benefits: • C&S West • Central Diagnostics • Family Medical Services • Island Health Services • Point Finger Road Medical Lab • Woodbourne Medical Lab
Supplemental Medical Benefits (cont.)CARDIAC SERVICES Cardiac Investigations and diagnostic services at non-hospital facilities
2. I paid HIP, shouldn’t HIP pay all my medical bills? • HIP is designed to be a basic health insurance plan. • HIP is not major medical. • Benefits are limited to ensure the premium is affordable.
Bermuda’s Health Insurance System KEY SHB ex MRF= $164.36 MRF = 22.84 SHB = 187.21 SMB = 14.29 to 31.40 MM = 200+ Depth of Coverage/ Scope of Benefits SHBs paid via Mutual Reinsurance Fund Premium = $22.84 Market Share
3. Why does HIP premium increase every year? • Premiums increase to cover rising claims costs • Medical inflation contributes to increases • Hospital rates in Bermuda increase between 4 and 7 % annually • In years where claims losses are lower, new benefits are normally added • One of HIP’s goals is to be financially prudent
HIP Premium 2008 • Under 65 = $218.61 • Over 65 = $201.50 • Over 65 (Non-subsidy) = $694.61 Standard Premium 2008 • SHB Premium = $187.21 • (Inclusive of 2008 MRF Premium of $22.84) • SHB Non-subsidy, over 65 = $680.32 • Deductions Regs. = $21.60
4. My Doctor said HIP hasn’t paid yet… Why? • HIP has stated publicly that it had administrative problems over the years. • In 2007, HIP implemented an aggressive plan to address claims arrears. • Most Doctors and service providers have reported improvements in HIP’s claim payments • The arrears project is nearing an end in the next two months…
HIP hired 15 new staff members in 2007 *= permanent staff
5. Why does my prescription drug benefit run out? • HIP provides a prescription drug benefit of $1,200 per annum to Seniors • This is an extremely costly benefit for the Fund to sustain • This benefit, like all HIP benefits, must be limited to maintain the financial balance of Fund • Currently, prescription drugs required beyond the $1,200 limit must be paid out-of-pocket
6. How do I obtain my prescription drug balance? • You can obtain this information today at the HIP table in the rear • You can obtain this information any other time by calling: 295-9210 • Also, all local pharmacies receive this information from HIP on a regular basis
7. How do I obtain my HIP policy number or ask general questions? You can obtain this information today at the HIP table in the rear Or Call HIP at: 295-9210
8. Can I pay my HIP premium online? • Online payments are now possible for HIP premium payments through Easypay and Bank of Bermuda online banking and ATMs. • Butterfireld Direct is a payment option that will be available shortly
9. What is the difference between HIP and GEHI? • GEHI is health insurance for government employees and retirees only. • HIP is the health insurance offered to the public by Bermuda Government as an affordable option to meet your basic healthcare needs.
10. Does HIP offer Dental coverage? • Starting August 1, 2008, HIP will be adding three (3) additional benefits: • Basic Dental; • Specialist procedures outside the hospital; • Increased Kidney Transplant benefit. You can obtain more information at the HIP table…