Kalam unveils NIC mediclaim policy for senior citizens

Kolkata, Dec 6 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today unveiled ''Varishtha Mediclaim'' for senior citiziens to mark the Centenary celebrations of the National Insurance Company Limited by distributing bonds to two retired persons.

Dr Kalam suggested the insurance company to find innovative schemes to reach the vast uncovered people of the country.

'' First of all have a human heart rather than go for logic in settling the claims,'' Dr Kalam told the insurance companies.

Citing an example, he said he had to intervene for settling the claims of a tsunami affected family at Nagapattinam. He said the sea waves washed away eleven members of the family and their house leaving only one in the 2004 disaster. But the survivor had faced a lot of trouble while claiming the compensation as all his documents were destroyed.

The President said only a 'human heart' could enable the insurance companies to spread their business among the common people.

He also suggested promptness to settle disputes and claims and asked to develop newer schemes for the people to have more business.

He said ''Economic development is powered by competitiveness and this competitiveness is powered by knowledge,'' and suggested a ''NIC Missions''.

He said NIC had contributed to different economic activities of the country through its risk cover products and congratulated its workforce for settling over 65 lakh claims for its policy holders and for paying over Rs 20,000 crore during the last decade.

Varishtha Mediclaim for senior citizens between 60 to 80 years has two sections - section one covers hospitalisation and domiciliary hospitalisation expenses and section two covers expenses for treatment of critical illnesses. The mediclaim can be renewed up to 90 years.

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