I have been renewing a family medical insurance policy through a consortium of 12 local insurance companies run by a insurance  company association for the last four years (annual renewal). I first bought this when I was working as a contract staff with a company.

There, I was introduced by other contract staff to their agent who had been selling this medical insurance. The agent and my colleagues advised me that ‘SR ‘was an appointed agent of the insurance company and this huge company will take care of my medical needs.  

I checked with this insurance company to confirm that this ‘SR’ was their agent. I then signed up and later received a medial card-cum-policy from the insurance company. The logo and name of the insurance company appeared prominently on  the medical card and policy document.

I have called the insurance company which  confirmed the validity of the policy as stated on the card and document. In the past few years, I have used the medical card for my wife and daughter at private hospitals.  

Each time, the insurance company guaranteed the payment  and thus I have been very satisfied  with the medical insurance provided.

 

Alas, last October, I received a letter from the insurance company which stated that upon the expiry of the existing medical policy on Jan 1, 2010, the said insurance company shall no longer support (or underwrite) the same medical policy.

I was thus confused and made inquiries with them. The representatives replied that it was the company’s own discretion whether to underwrite the policy, and in this  case, it had decided not to continue to underwrite their agent's medical policy.   

When contacted, ‘SR’ said she could not do anything. Then I became more confused as the insurance company has acknowledged ‘SR’ as its agent to sell its own health insurance policies.

By now refusing to underwrite, this insurance policy had effectively cancelled its own medical  insurance policy which had been sold to the public

 

I am now retired and this is the time when I and my wife require medical coverage. By this refusal to continue to underwrite the same medical policy, we cannot get medical coverage which does not impose extra loading (for senior citizens) as well as a restriction on existing medical conditions.