A new Health Insurance Premium Payment Assistance Programme was announced in a press release on 5 February 2021 to help hospitality and tourism workers who have been displaced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme will help successful applicants maintain their health insurance coverage.
All interested individuals must apply through the Health Insurance Commission, and the application form is available to print on the Health Insurance Commission’s website. Applications are also available to pick up in the lobby of the Government Administration Building.
The application deadline is 12 February 2021. Insurance assistance will be offered from the start of March to the end of June 2021.
Nearly one year ago, in March 2020, borders were closed in order to minimise the spread of the novel coronavirus in the Cayman Islands. Whilst these precautionary measures prioritised the health and safety of many Caymanians, the closures had a significant impact on the tourism and hospitality industries whose businesses were forced to close.
In response to the damaging economic effects of the lockdown, the Health Insurance Commission worked with the Ministry of Health to develop an assistance programme for anyone who needed help paying their health insurance premiums for the months of April, May and June of 2020. About 1,250 individuals benefited from this program, which cost the government around $400,000.
According to last Friday’s press release, the Ministry of Health, the Health Insurance Commission and the Approved Insurance companies have only recently agreed to this new assistance programme geared specifically to individuals who have lost their hospitality and tourism jobs. The Cabinet then consented to the programme, and eight insurers have promised to uphold the Premium Payment Assistance Programme guidelines.
The press release reassures the public that this second phase of health premium payment assistance demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the health and well-being of Caymanians.
