AIBOC and Other Unions Write TO UFBU

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ CONFEDERATION (AIBOC)
ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION (AIBOA)
INDIAN NATIONAL BANK OFFICERS’ CONGRESS (INBOC)
NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF BANK OFFICERS (NOBO)
 Camp: Mumbai

Date: 12.10.2018

The Convenor
United Forum of Bank Unions

Dear Sir,

RE : RENEWAL OF IBA’S HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RETIREES

We refer to IBA’s Circular no.CIR/HR&IR/BRK/2018-19/6037 dated 09.10.2018 addressed to the CEO’s of All member banks who are party to 10th Bi-partite Settlement / Joint Note dated 25.05.2015 forwarding therewith the revised premium quote received from UIICL for renewal of the health insurance policy of the retirees. We have the following observations / suggestions.

1. We are surprised that in spite of our ongoing discussions on the matter IBA has not consulted /discussed the matter with UFBU after getting revised quote. On the contrary, they have forwarded the same to the individual banks.

2. Though in our meeting held on 14.09.2018 and through the subsequent letter dated 18.09.2018 to IBA, we had given several suggestions to make the health insurance affordable to the retirees and reduce the burden on them, we observe
that except for the suggestion to provide flexibility in the insurance amount to the retirees to opt, no other suggestions have been given due weightage by the IBA/ UIICL.

3. Our main suggestion was that the premium should be composite and not segment wise i.e. the premium for the serving employees and the retirees should be calculated as composite group and that the premium of the retirees should be
borne by the bank in the same manner as the banks are reimbursing the medical expenses to the Ex MDs and Ex EDs.

But we observe that UIICL has quoted substantial higher premium to the retirees. Room Rent ceiling for the retirees is also reduced from Rs.5000/- to Rs.4000/- but commensurate reduction in premium is not given. For easy reference and understanding, we have tabulated below the various options given to the retirees by UIICL as per your letter :

For Award Staff For Officers
Amount Option
No.
Amount Option No.
WITH DOMICILLIARY
Insured Amount Rs.4 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.40000 N.A. #82373 i
Insured Amount Rs.4 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.30000 N.A. 76607 iv(a)
Insured Amount Rs.3 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.40000 #78236 ii
Insured Amount Rs.3 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.30000 #61784 i 72760 iv(b)
Insured Amount Rs.3 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.20000 57459 iv(a)
Insured Amount Rs.2 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.30000 #57647 ii
Insured Amount Rs.2 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.20000 53611 iv(b)
WITHOUT DOMICILLIARY
Insured Amount Rs.4 Lakh – Without Domiciliary N.A. 28792 i
Insured Amount Rs.3 Lakh – Without Domiciliary 21595 i 27745 ii
Insured Amount Rs.2 Lakh – Without Domiciliary 20320 ii
SUPER TOP UP
Super Top-up Rs.5 lakh above Rs.4 lakh sum insured 5049 i
Super Top-up Rs.5 lakh above Rs.3 lakh sum insured 7574 iii
Super Top up Rs.4 lakh above Rs.3 lakh sum insured 4657 i
Super Top up Rs.4 lakh above Rs. 2 lakh sum insured 6986 iii

# Though It is not expressed in the quote, since in option iv(a) and iv(b), Limit of Domiciliary is specifically mentioned as Rs.30000 for Retired Officers and Rs.20000 for Retired Award Staff, we presume that domiciliary limit under option i and ii must be Rs.40000/- and Rs.30000/- for the retired officers and retired workmen respectively. The written confirmation of the
same needs to be obtained from UIICL.

4. We also observe that for the same cover, UIICL has quoted different premium for the retired award staff and retired officers, leading to anomalies, as given below:

a. Insured Amount Rs.3 Lakh – With Domiciliary Rs.30000

For Officers Rs.72760/- Option “ iv(b)”

For Award Staff Rs. 61784/- Option “ i “

(Officers are charged Rs.10976/- i.e. nearly 18% more than the award staff)

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Message posted on Voice Of Retired Bank Employees


----- SALIENT FEATURES OF IBA'S CIRCULAR ON THE RENEWAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY OF THE RETIREES -----
.
.                             ------- PART  2 --------
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Let us now have a look at the Revised Premium Quote of UIICL. To avoid  complexity , we are concentrating our attention only  for those officers who want to go for domiciliary cover.
.
At the first instance , let us see the cost of domiciliary cover  for an officer whose base cover is Rs.4,00,000/-. It is worth mentioning that you will get reimbursement MAXIMUM to the extent of Rs.40,000/- by submitting bills etc. in accordance with the prescribed manner.
.
Cost of domiciliary cover =
Premium with domiciliary cover - premium without domiciliary cover.
= 69808 - 24400 = 45408/-
.
So, after paying Rs.45408/- IN ADVANCE, you will be reimbursed UP TO  Rs.40,000/- provided you submit all bills / vouchers/doctor's prescriptions / Lab report etc. within a definite time period.
.
***********************************************************************
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In the first part , I mentioned the merit of the suggestion  of the joint leadership of CBPRO & AIBRF whereby they suggested to quit from the cadre based scheme which was ignored by the learned leadership of UFBU for the reason best known to IBA , UIICL & UFBU.. This year , more slabs are introduced at the suggestion of the retirees associations though , at least, one more slab of Rs. 1.00 lac was of pivot importance to take care of the vulnerable section of the retirees. In case of necessity, the cover of Super Top Up might be reduced to 3.00 lac ; had one such scheme been introduced as suggested , it would certainly put a large section of retirees in comfortable zone. 
.
However, according to the said  quotation of UIICL , an officer having a base cover of Rs. 3.00 lac has to pay Rs.23513/- (without domiciliary) towards the premium while an award staff has to pay Rs.18301/- for the same.
.
  Is it not hilarious that while both persons are covered by one policy document and  both persons have the same base cover , premium becomes different for the reason that they were in different cadre while in service ? Can the learned and evergreen  leaders of UFBU explain how they nod knowing well that premium is a subject of ICR ( actual or expected ) , not of cadre ?
.
Can anybody blame the retirees if they suspect any hidden agenda of the  concerned organization behind fixing the premium based on cadre?
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**********************************************************************
.
( contd.)

Another person writes as under.


Urgent petition has to be filed in the Supreme Court by the retiree organizations against the violation of Government Directives in 2012  blatent discrimination and anamolies in the implementation of Group Health Insurance Policy, thereby causing gross injustice  to the vulnerable and hapless senior citizens by the UIIC,IBA and UFBU .

An IMMEDIATE STAY ORDER SHOULD BE OBTAINED AGAINST OPERATION OF THE GROUP INSURANCE SCHEME .

______________________________€____________

Another member from bank expresses as under


Dear Retirees Friends,
I mailed the under noted message to all Office Bearers of AIBRF, for their active consideration and for taking effective remedial measures at the earliest. The premium formulated  by UIIC & IBA is against the Article 14,15 & 21 of the Constitution Of India. I humbly request all of my UCO-Retirees to deeply involved in this matter for taking up with the appropriate authorities, including IRDA,  GOI-MOF-DFS and Press.
With regards
(Akshaya Ku Mishra)

[[Dear Retirees Friends,
I am put frothing my opinion for active consideration.

From the IBA letter dated 09.10.2018 addressed to all Member Banks it is observed that UIIC has stipulated DIFFERENT PREMIUM for the same SUM INSURED, details are as follows:
Example: 1) Officer SUM Insured             Rs.3.00 Lacs (Without Domiciliary) Premium Rs.27.745/-
                    Awarded Staff SUM Insured Rs.3.00 Lacs (Without Domiciliary)  Premium Rs.21,595/-

                     2) Officer SUM Insured          Rs.3.00 Lacs (With Domociliary)   Premium Rs.78,236/-
                  Awarde Staff SUM Insured Rs.3.00 Lacs (With Domiciliary)    Premium Rs.61,784/-

From this, it is now crystal clear that UIIC quoting unethical Premium Amount for the same SUM Insured for different classes of Retirees, which is against the fundamental principle of this country and contrary to Article 14, 15 & 21 of the Constitution. The LAW is equal for all classes of citizens of the independent INDIA. In future UIIC may quote differential Premium for Male/Female or/and on cast structure basis.

I am humbly requesting all to bring it to the notice of the competent authority for rectification of the same, at the earliest.

With Regards
Akshaya Ku Mishra
(CC Member from UCO Bank)
(M:9437131830)]]


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Another person suggests  as given below


When we contemplate legal action we should first know rules and regulations governing Tailor Made Group Insurance Scheme .
If there are specific guidelines from IRDA and they are violated first step should be to approach IRDA..Just because premium is high you cannot call it as injustice.
Our associations are dealing with high premium  on wrong footings .

1..How you can raise the issue of GST just because your members are finding it difficult to bear the burden .
It's a general law applicable to all Sr Citizens whether bankers or others.
If your objection to higher GST us valid it shoulders have been raised early without waiting for finalisation of  premium .

2...Time and again leadsrs quote 2012 govt guidelines however gave not insisted fir clarification from govt authorities as to o adding on o premium burden on retirees .
Unless govt issues a categorical statement in the point there is no meaning in just making arguments .3 years was the sufficient time to arrive at clear verdict from govt on this issue.
If democratic govt is not bothered to issue clarification on the doubtful provisions it indicates that govt is bent upon forcing the citizens to go for litigation .

   3... The way the scheme and it's terms are finalised , it appears that initially the idea must be to have a in-house  hospitalisation scheme where banks will shoulder some load .
Normally , when bank is financing a scheme such scheme have different criteria based in The Cadre of retired person.
Hence we are finding si many loopholes in various terminologies used which are normally not found in Insurance Policy  .
There is some conspiracy and behind the door agreement while launching the scheme in 2015 without going in details it's repercussions .
When AIBOC has raised the banner of revolt let them share all the discussions held during May 2015 - August 2015.
Let them first prove their bonafides instead of making just allegations and repeated requests ti IBA which has always proved that  they have no sympathybtowrds hardships faced  bt Retirees - Especially Retirees above age of 75


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Another retiree expresses his feelings as under


कोई भी बैंक रिटायरी वर्ष 2015 को कभी नही भूलेगा। 2015 मे IBA व UFBU ने सभी रिटायरीज को सोशल सिक्योरिटी की आड़ मे घरेलू व अस्पतालीय इलाज के लिए UIIC के साथ मिलकर एक नई हैल्थ इन्श्योरेन्स पालिसी देने की शुरुआत की। सभी ने इस स्कीम को दिल से स्वीकार किया व खुशी खुशी तुरन्त 2015-16 की मुंह मांगी प्रीमियम भी दे दी।। इस पालिसी के चक्कर मे आकर रिटायरीज ने अपनी पुरानी चल रही हैल्थ पालिसी खत्म कर दी व उनका नवीनीकरण कराने की जरूरत ही महसूस नही की।।  ××××   अब खेल यहीं से शुरु होता है। uiic ने प्रीमियम लेते ही अपना रंग दिखाना शुरु कर दिया। उसने घरेलू उपचार सुविधा देने से बिल्कुल मना कर दिया।। IBA व UFBU ने मिलकर UIIC द्वारा दिये जा रहे इस धोखे को मौन स्वीकृति दे दी। यदि iba व ufbu को रिटायरीज की थोड़ी भी चिन्ता थी तो क्यों नही इन्होने uiic का प्रबल विरोध किया व इस धोखेबाज कंपनी को कोर्ट मे खड़ा किया, तथा तुरंत किसी दूसरी कंपनी से बात क्यों नही की??
   रिटायरीज चूंकि अपनी अपनी पुरानी पालिसी ( जिन्होने दूसरी कंपानियो से हैल्थ पालिसी ले रक्खी थी )  को छोड़ चुके थे, अतः मजबूरी में इस धोखे को स्वीकार करने के अलावा कोई दूसरा रास्ता नही बचा था। अब इसके बाद के वर्षों मे बेतहाशा प्रीमियम मे वृद्धि के बावजूद भी रिटायरीज इस पालिसी से जुड़े रहे।। लेकिन इस वर्ष 2018-19 के प्रीमियम को सुनकर तो अच्छे अच्छे रिटायरीज के होश ही गुम हो गये व जबरदस्त तनाव मे आ गये।। 65-70 वर्ष से ज्यादा के रिटायरीज दूसरी कंपनी की पालिसी ले नही सकते, इससे कम उम्र वालो को भी नई पालिसी मे कुछ़ बीमारियों के इलाज़ के लिए 1-2वर्ष का इन्तजार करना पड़ेगा।। iba, ufbu व uiic के nexus ( धोखेबाज गुट ) ने मिलकर सभी रिटायरीज को साँप छछून्दर वाली पोजिशन मे लाकर खड़ा कर दिया है।। शायद ऐसी बुरी उम्मीद किसी भी रिटायरी ने नही की होगी।। धन्यवाद।। rkj, kota