Concerned about a high number of people still without health insurance coverage, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is looking to add another 2 000 to its inhouse plan.Making the announcement at BARP’s Mervue House, Marine Garden, Hastings location on Tuesday, officials said the current health benefits are to be extended to the association’s newest members in the 40-49 age group.As the country continues to battle high levels of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), BARP says it has partnered with Lynch Insurance Brokers Ltd. to extend coverage and add greater access to more preventative care.Noting that an individual’s health status can change within seconds, BARP President Marilyn Rice-Bowen expressed concern that coming out of one of the association’s information sessions on Monday was people regretting not buying health insurance when they had the opportunity.“What I find most disturbing is that at times you see people asking for assistance because they are suffering from some illness. But sometimes the cost can be $90,000 and [while] Bajans dig deep in their pockets they might only be able to raise $6,000.
