ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee has started work on a proposed cashless health insurance system that could cover around 1,300 Senate Secretariat employees and more than 7,400 dependents, with the panel focusing on keeping the scheme affordable, transparent and free from unnecessary restrictions.
The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee of the Senate Secretariat Employees Welfare Fund held at Parliament House under the convenership of Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti.
Senators Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Anusha Rahman and Shahzaib Durrani, along with senior Senate Secretariat officials and Financial Advisor to the Chairman Senate Aizaz Khan, attended the meeting.
The committee reviewed the existing medical facilities and discussed a possible health insurance framework aimed at providing better treatment facilities to employees and their families across all pay grades.
Members examined initial insurance premium figures and projected costs for at least five years. They directed that possible increases in premiums, the impact of inflation and yearly claim ratios should be carefully assessed before finalising the scheme in order to protect public funds.
The committee also stressed that the terms offered by insurance companies should be examined in detail before any agreement is made. Members said hospital treatment should be easy to access and that the policy should not include restrictions that create difficulties for employees during medical emergencies.
The proposed system is expected to be cashless, under which covered employees and dependents would not normally be required to make direct payments at the time of approved hospital treatment, subject to the final policy terms.
The committee also discussed the need to bring internal Senate service rules in line with the proposed insurance system. Members said clear rules would help prevent duplicate claims and make the system easier to operate.
The Sub-Committee will continue its deliberations and prepare a comprehensive recommendation report within the given timeframe.
