The Ministry of Finance informed officials yesterday that the health service coverage awarded to two firms came into effect, for an amount of more than G. 62,572 million (US$ 8.8 million at the budgeted change).
The economic portfolio awarded the tender carried out for the “contracting of services for the social security of civil servants of the Treasury” to the SD Health Consortium, for an amount of G. 61,972 million; and to Grupo Proinsa SA, for G. 600 million.
In total medical insurance or “VIP insurance” as the public calls it, it will cost taxpayers G. 62,572 million (US$ 8.8 million at the budgeted change), according to information found on the website of the Directorate of Public Contracts (DNCP).
The aforementioned report mentions that five companies submitted to the tender to compete for the contract for more than one fiscal year.
Read More: SET union criticizes health insurance bidding process
The award was awarded to SD Health Consortium, represented by Isabel Juliana Chaparro Denis/Roxana Pino Rodríguez; and to Grupo Proinsa SArepresented by Benjamin Sosa Miranda-Santiago Gadea Prado.
The firm also participated Futuro SA; represented by José Luis Daglio Tanco and José Luis Daglio Rolón; Serenity Park SRL, represented by Enrique Juan Hellmers Fonseca; and Santa Clara SA Prepaid Medicinerepresented by Helen Harrison Paleari, Aldo Harrison, Robert Harrison, the latter company had the previous contract.
The bidding process was initially questioned by the Union of Officials of the Sub-Secretary of State for Taxation (SET)he even asked the Treasury authorities to separate this agency to make his own call, which ultimately did not prosper.
Read More: MOPC officials demonstrate for more bidders for health insurance
Law No. 7050 of the General Budget of the Nation (PGN) establishes that prepaid medical and dental services for officials of State agencies and entities, corporations with majority shareholding of the State, governments and municipalities They may not exceed G. 1,000,000 per month or G. 12,000,000 per year.
Officials of the foreign service of the Foreign Ministry, on mission outside the country, are excepted from this rule.
Other extra benefits for officials
Public officials not only have this VIP insurance, but also the payment of extra benefits included under the concept of “family allowance”which this year will cost citizens G. 257,000 million (US$ 36.2 million at the budgeted change).
Read More: Budget allocates US$ 36.2 million for the payment of “family subsidy”
As a “family subsidy” the one-time payment of up to a minimum salary of G. 2,550,307 is foreseen and under this figure, school aid is also paid for each school-age child from kindergarten until the end of the third year of school. extent; food aid; and in the cases of births and deaths, by event.
For example, an official might receive G. 2,550,307 as a family subsidy and the same amount for each school-age child, not including those paid for events such as birth, death or extraordinary medical expenses, the latter does not have a defined figure.