Improved Insurance Coverage for Athletes
By: June 11, 2022 ,The Full Story
The Government has improved benefits for eligible national athletes under the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said that a new contract for the provision of Group Health, Group Life and Personal Accident insurance coverage was awarded to Allied Insurance Brokers for the period February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2025, in the amount of $38 million.
She said that coverage for the Group Health and Group Life portfolios will be provided by Sagicor Jamaica Limited while Lloyd’s Syndicate of London will provide Group Personal Accident Insurance coverage.
Mrs. Grange, who provided details about the improved benefits in her 2022/23 Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives on June 8, informed that coverage for consultation has increased from $2,000 to $3,500; and prescription from $28,000 to $32,000, plus major medical.
She said that athletes are now able to access unlimited psychological/psychiatric services as well as dietitian/podiatrist/chiropractor, massage therapy, athletic therapy, and speech therapy.
Other benefits include hearing-aid services, renal dialysis, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, artificial limbs and other prosthetics, root canal and permanent crown. Support for miscarriage can now be accessed.
Additionally, athletes travelling overseas are covered up to a maximum of US$100,000.
Meanwhile, Minister Grange gave an update on Holmwood Technical athlete Samantha Pryce, who was injured while competing at the 2022 Penn Relays in Pennsylvania in the United States in April.
She said the young athlete is expected to return to the island at the end of the month.
Ms. Grange informed that Samantha did not have to claim on the coverage under the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Programme since the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania covered the expenses.
“Samantha underwent surgery and is recovering overseas. I’m sure the House will join me in sending best wishes for her recovery,” Ms. Grange said.
She called on sporting bodies to ensure that their athletes who compete at the national and international levels are registered with the insurance programme.