Socially Vulnerable Citizens Waiting for Insurance Policy Financing for 6 Months

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara

Citizens below poverty line are requesting the changing of the #218 decree of government. Several socially vulnerable families addressed the Human Rights Center in Adjara. They are displeased with the waiting period for insurance service.

Socially vulnerable people are requesting the abolishment of the decree that regulates the waiting period for insurance service.

Leila Nakashidze, resident of the village Kabandidi, Khelvachauri municipality: “I am registered in the common base of socially vulnerable families. I received 66 390 points on January 20th of 2010. I received an insurance policy on July 1st. It indicates that it came in force on this date. My juvenile daughter Iza Nakashidze needs surgery. On January 17th I addressed the representative of Imedi L in the hospital of Khelvachauri region with the request of allocating money for surgery. They told me that they cannot pay the surgery money till the end of March. I cannot understand this.”

Roin Apkhazava, a resident of the village Chelta of Khelvachauri municipality: “We are three in the family. My little child needs medical treatment. He had an accident and damaged his skull. Our family is very poor. We do not have finances to examine his situation and provide medical treatment for him. I thought that I could solve his health problem after receiving the status of socially vulnerable but I have not received any financial help yet. I cannot use the insurance policy either. I received 56 930 points on November 28th of 2010. The social agent of Khelvachauri region Shorena Putkaradze told me that I will receive policy at the end of May.”

Gulenti Nachkebia, Batumi resident: In the common base of socially vulnerable families I received 66 370 points since December 29 of 2010. However, I have not received the insurance policy yet. As I was told in the social agency, I do not have right to apply free insurance service unless six months is expired from the date of granting points. I have two little children. I had to consult a doctor several times during the winter period to examine their health situation. But I cannot receive the service granted by the law.”

Human Rights Center contacted the insurance company Imedi L. They restrained from the official commentary and redirected us to the main office of the company. However they noted in a private conversation that they are not protracting the issuance of the insurance policy. According to them, three months waiting for the planned operation from the beneficiary is not too long.

On the insurance policy issued by Imedi L it is indicated that the policy envisages obligatory insurance service for the insured according to #218 decree of government issued on December 9, 2009. According to the paragraph G, article #8 of the corresponding decree “for receiving planned service the waiting period must not exceed six months.”

Though the insurance companies deny the fact that the waiting period needs to expire before the service is rendered, the socially vulnerable people say opposite. It seems like the vague decree of Georgian government created barrier for socially vulnerable families to receive insurance service on time.