HC directs insurance firm to reimburse govt pensioners bill

Chennai: The Madras High Court has imposed costs of Rs 50,000 on United India Insurance Company for not reimbursing a retired state government employees medical bill and directed it to pay the claim amount of Rs 1,43,709 within four weeks.

In his order recently, Justice T Raja took a serious view of the firm for not reimbursing the bill even after recommendations made by statutory authorities on reimbursement of bills to government pensioners under the Tamil Nadu Government Pensioners Health Fund Scheme.

The petitioner submitted that he had subscribed to the government scheme and was eligible for reimbursement.

Despite completing all statutory proceedings, he was not reimbursed the amount and hence he moved the high court.

The insurance company, in the guise of calling for the original break-up bills and cash receipts, has delayed the payment of the amount, he submitted.

Allowing the petition with costs of Rs 50,000 payable by the insurance firm to the petitioner, the judge directed the company to pay it, along with the reimbursement amount of Rs 1,43,709, within four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.