Seniors Being Charged Despite Exemptions
Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull says seniors aged 65 and over are receiving hospital and clinic bills despite policy exemptions under the National Health Insurance scheme. He calls the practice “financial abuse,” urges stronger enforcement and new supports for retirees, and says he will press government agencies to stop improper charging.
Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull has raised serious concerns that seniors in the British Virgin Islands are being wrongly billed for hospital and clinic services despite existing exemptions for persons aged 65 and over. Turnbull told BVI News that under government policy — and the National Health Insurance (NHI) arrangements — uninsured persons aged 65 and over, dependent children and those of insufficient means are meant to be subsidised and should not pay standard hospital fees.
He says, however, that he has personally seen seniors in his constituency receive bills from the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), including from Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital and its satellite clinics. "Some of them are being charged after the age of 65. Receiving bills when they are exempt from having to pay any cost whether at the hospital or local clinics, even electricity.
We must do better to ensure that these persons that have laid the foundation for us are protected," Turnbull said, calling the practice a form of "financial abuse" against the territory’s elderly. Turnbull also criticised other government agencies for similar conduct and urged stronger enforcement of existing exemptions.
He called on the government to close gaps in policy implementation so seniors do not face unexpected medical or utility bills that eat into limited pensions and savings. Beyond enforcement, Turnbull wants broader social protections for retirees, proposing an age-care benefit, a support grant for seniors on fixed incomes, and more community-based programmes that provide healthcare, home maintenance and companionship.
He highlighted that the cost of in-care living can run between $10,000 and $15,000 per month — a level beyond most local retirees. His comments come amid growing public concern over rising costs for food, healthcare and utilities. The government has recently increased monthly assistance grants and expanded benefits under the Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, but advocates say those steps are insufficient.
Turnbull said he will continue to press for policy changes and stronger enforcement to ensure seniors receive the exemptions and protections to which they are entitled. Residents who believe a senior has been wrongly charged are advised to retain bills and receipts and to raise the matter with their district representative or the territory’s social services offices so each case can be reviewed.
Primary source: BVI News