Conference Report 2016

Section 4: Benefits for Members
IllNESSES COVERED
The illnesses covered under the terms of the Scheme are
outlined hereunder:
Full Benefit payment Specified Illnesses
Alzheimer’s Aplastic Aorta Graft
Disease Anaemia Surgery
Bacterial Meningitis Balloon Benign Brain
Valvuloplasty Tumour
Benign Spinal Blindness Cancer
Cord Tumour (total)
Cardiomyopathy Chronic Lung Coma
Disease
Coronary Artery Creutzfeldt- Deafness (total)
Surgery
Jacob Disease
Encephalitis Heart Attack/ Heart Valve
Heart Structural Replacement
Repair
or Repair
HIV Infection Kidney Failure Liver Failure
Loss of Loss of Major Organ
Independent Speech Transplant
Existence
Motor Neurone Multiple Multiple System
Disease Sclerosis Atrophy
Paralysis of Limbs Parkinsons Pre-Senile
Disease Dementia
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy Pulmonary Artery Surgery
Rheumatoid Arthritis Severance of Limbs
Stroke
Systemic Lupus Third Degree Traumatic
Erythematosus Burns Head Injury
Partial Benefit Payment Specified Illnesses
Brain Abscess Carcinoma Carotid Artery
drained via in Situ Stenosis
Craniotomy
Cerebral Coronary Ductal
Arteriovenous Angioplasty Carcinoma
Malformation
in Situ
Low Level Serious Accident Surgical
Prostate Cancer Cover Removal of
One Eye
Third Degree Burns
(lesser)
The above is just a basic list of illnesses covered. A
booklet giving full explanations, pre-existing conditions,
relevant survival periods and exclusions is available from
the GRA office. Only the definitions in the Master Policy
will determine the validity of a claim.
REVIEw
The next renewal of the scheme, when the plan will be
renegotiated taking into account the number of
members, age of the membership and particularly the
variance between premiums and claims paid, is due to
take place on 1st November 2016. Since the last renewal
on 1st November 2013 up to 31st March 2016 the
Underwriters, Friends First, have recorded a loss of
€870k, brought about particularly by the recent increase
in the number of claims. In the first quarter of 2016, 15
claims have been paid and in addition there are 17 claims
being processed. It is also very important to keep the
average age of the membership steady and this is done
by the introduction of new younger members. With no
recruitment for many years there have been no new
entrants to the scheme, and therefore the average of the
membership has increased. The claims experience is of
particular concern and our Brokers PenPro are in
discussion with the underwriters and will revert in due
course.
mATERNITy/uNPAID lEAVE
During maternity leave the member and spouse/partner if
applicable, will continue to be covered under the scheme
and premiums will continue to be deducted from pay in
the normal way. In the event of the member then taking
unpaid leave our insurer will continue cover for up to 16
weeks and waive the payment of premium. In the event
of the member not returning to work after the 16 weeks it
is their responsibility to ensure that premium is paid,
otherwise cover will cease
CAREER bREAKS
Members who avail of career breaks will continue to be
covered under the scheme, provided premiums continue
to be paid, in advance, on a yearly basis. Cover will be
maintained for a maximum number of five years.
mEmbER’S DETAIlS
Members should ensure that their details recorded on the
database held at the GRA Head Office are up to date in
relation to their status. This is in the member’s/spouse/
partner’s best interest. The Association advises that all
members should make a Will.
38th Annual Delegate Conference
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