Workers push for new medical care system
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Responding to complaints by both workers and staff, the workers’ syndicate at the American University in Cairo (AUC) is asking the university’s medical committee this week not to renew a contract with Alico, the university’s current medical care provider, which is due to expire on April 20.
The proposal, presented on March 5, requests that the university switch back to its previous medical care provider, Medicare.
The proposal emphasizes that “it is the syndicate’s responsibility to ensure staff are receiving medical treatment without obstacles.”
Medicare had been the health care provider for the AUC staff for 14 years. In 2005, the administration decided to switch to Alico because it covers medical costs for its members at hospitals both within and outside of its network.
Health care providers typically have networks of hospitals, private clinics and pharmacies operating underneath them. When a patient insured by the company goes to visit one of these hospitals, they have access to free or discounted lab tests, x-rays, hospitalization, and medication.
Workers and staff are dissatisfied because Alico’s membership fee have risen by 55%, increasing the financial burden on workers. “President Arnold agreed to take on 27% of the increase, but only until the end of this year, which is why we have to do something fast,” said Salah Saad, head of the syndicate.
According to Yasser Nassar, benefits manager in the human resources (HR) department, two surveys were conducted in 2006 and 2007. The first showed that the majority of staff where satisfied with the service of the medical care provider, but the second showed a dissatisfied majority.
“We would have to conduct further surveys even after the request comes in to be sure it’s what the majority wants,”he said.
Several workers had horror stories about their dealings with Alico. “I was suffering from a blood clot and was half way through inserting stints (to widen the blood vessels) and my money ran out, so they stopped and put me in intensive care until the university interfered to get the surgery going again,” said Gamal Darwish, a worker in AUC’s supply chain management. Darwish remained unconscious for 10 days until Alico agreed to complete the surgery. “I was shocked when I woke up and heard the story,” he added.
“We used to be able to fill our prescriptions for free, but now we have to pay for the medication and wait for reimbursements. I’ve been waiting since September,” said Lamia Gad, senior secretary of the mass communication department.
Gad added that when she tried to get help with an ovarian problem, Alico insisted that this counted as fertility, which their contract does not cover.
Dr. Abdel Hadi Ibrahim, Alico’s medical representative at the AUC clinic, confirmed that there are daylong procedures involved in getting authorization for tests, medication or surgery, but said, “all these are dismissed in the case of an emergency.”
