PSD sorts out pensioner’s plight over claims
PETALING JAYA: When a pensioner complained publicly about the slow refunds for his medical expenses, Public Service Department (PSD) officers intervened.
PSD deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Nor Inchun Mohamed Salleh and two officers handed Lim Ah Tee, 77, two cheques at his home on Tuesday.
It was a happy ending for Lim who had written to The Star about his predicament.
His letter was printed last Saturday, titled “Slow refunds hurt sick pensioners’ pockets”.
Lim said he had paid more than RM3,000 for his wife’s medication; she has dementia, and for drugs to treat his blood platelet problem.
The delay in the reimbursement was troubling because he needed the money to buy subsequent supplies of the medicines, he said.
He had sent his first claim, for RM1,522.05, through registered mail on April 12.
But the PSD said it did not get this and that it only received his second claim, on May 19.
The department acknowledged that such delays should not have happened.
Lim said the medication that the doctors prescribed for him and his wife were not available from the hospital so he has to buy them from a pharmacy and claim the expense from PSD.
PSD ended its contract with Oratis Rx Sdn Bhd on Feb 27. This means pensioners who need medication that is not available from public hospitals must pay for it first.
Oratis Rx, which operates the Electronic Medical Automation Supply System, supplied medicines and medical devices to federal and army pensioners through pharmacies, as well as delivered them to those who were not mobile.
Lim said pensioners like him preferred the old method, where they need not fork out any funds, just like how the National Heart Institute operates.
“It doesn’t need a middle man, a GL (guarantee letter) or claim for a reimbursement,” he said.
PSD said it was discussing with the Health Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry which oversees university hospitals about putting such medications on its list so that pensioners need not go through the hassle of paying first and then claiming it back.
A temporary solution should be ready by July, PSD said.
In the meantime, PSD said those who could not afford to pay first for the medication could get Form 1/09, the doctor’s prescription and a quotation from the pharmacy.
These should then be taken to the Kumpulan Wang Persaraan Diperbadankan (KWAP) office in Cyberjaya to get a guarantee letter for the pharmacy to make its billing later.
For inquiries, call 03-8885 4157/4841.