Monrovia – Saar Insurance Liberia has issued a clarification regarding claims by a group called Concerned Health Workers, led by Teah Bolo, alleging that the company intends to increase premiums for the Group Life Medical Insurance policy covering thousands of health workers.
Teah Bolo, who is assigned to the Duport Road Health Center under the Ministry of Health, along with other health workers, raised concerns during a broadcast on Truth FM 96.1 on Thursday, January 23.
They claimed that Saar Insurance was planning to arbitrarily increase premiums for the medical insurance coverage provided to health workers, which covers five categories with salaries ranging from US$1 to US$2,000.
The workers alleged that the increase would add an additional US$5 or more to existing premiums.
However, Saar Insurance management has strongly rejected these claims, clarifying that no such unilateral premium increase is planned.
In a statement issued on the same day, the company explained that the contract signed between Saar Insurance, the Ministry of Health, and the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) includes various options for medical coverage, depending on salary grades.
The company further explained that any adjustments to premiums are made in accordance with salary increases and are in line with the terms of the contract.
“The adjustments are clearly stated in the current Group Life Medical Insurance contract and are not a unilateral decision by Saar Insurance, as claimed by Teah Bolo and others,” said Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Philip Tamba Cooper, in the statement.
Saar Insurance emphasized that at no point has it increased premiums in a manner inconsistent with the signed agreement or without the consent of the Ministry of Health.
The company further dismissed the accusations as a “fallacy” orchestrated by Teah Bolo, who was recently defeated in the NAHWUL election for the position of Treasurer.
The company also highlighted that it has been actively engaged in educating health workers about the Group Life Medical Insurance policy.
Currently, Saar Insurance is conducting an educational campaign in Bong County, where it is providing employees with new computerized medical ID cards that detail their monthly premium deductions, OPD treatment limits, and other relevant information.
The company plans to continue this educational initiative across Liberia, including Margibi County in February and the southeastern counties starting in March.
Saar Insurance further reassured its clients that it remains committed to fully implementing the contracts signed with policyholders and upholding the terms of the insurance coverage.
With over 70 health facilities contracted across Liberia and timely claim payments, Saar Insurance continues to provide comprehensive healthcare services to its clients, including workers from over 30 international NGOs and corporations.
The company also urged media outlets to verify the facts before publishing reports to ensure accuracy in accordance with journalistic ethics.
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