More than 100 people turned out for a town hall meeting held by the Ministry of Health to address concerns and provide information about the Government's Health Insurance Plan (HIP).

HIP is a basic health care product offered through the Government for those who are unemployed or retired and can be purchased for $218.61 for someone under 65 and $201.50 for someone over 65.

Last month the Health Minister Nelson Bascome announced "mission accomplished" and said that the HIP backlog of claims, which stretched back for years, had been cleared.

A survey done by this paper last week, however, found some doctor's were still waiting payment from 2004 and one person at last Thursday's meeting, at St. Paul's Centennial Hall, in Hamilton, also asked why it took so long to receive payment.

Assistant Director of Health Insurance for the Department of Social Insurance Collin Anderson, who presented the information session said: "Part of the problem is that we are still going through it, we have completed a major process. Since January 2007 we have done quite a bit.

"Last month we, to the best of our ability, said we have caught up with our claims. Having said that there are some individual claims. I have a list back in my office and we have some cheques."

He added that many times the problem was that people's addresses were incorrect and the cheques would be returned to the Department.

Other questions focused on Futurecare, which is the Government's plan to provide comprehensive health care to seniors by April 1, next year.

And Mr. Anderson stressed that talks were continuing to ensure it would be in place next year as promised though they were still unsure how it was going to be structured.

"Don't ask me what Futurecare is. We don't know what it is. It's coming and it will have seniors in mind. It won't be free," added.

At the meeting, which was attended mostly by seniors, attendees were also given instructions on which clinics and offices those on HIP would be able to go to should they need diagnostic imaging or labs.

One of the recent additions to the list was the Brown-Darrell clinic, which is a partnership between Dr. Brown and his wife Wanda, and which recently bought a 64-slice CAT scanner.

On hand to explain what was covered by the basic dental benefits that was added to HIP on August 1, this year, was a representative from Argus Insurance group.

These cover basic dental services including cleaning and x-rays and surgical and minor restorative services such as extractions and fillings.

Seventy-five percent of these services will be covered by HIP and the client will be responsible for the rest.

Warren Jones, the Permanent Secretary of Health, said he wanted to thank all the staff for their hard work and encouraged the seniors to call him with their concerns.

"I just wanted to congratulate all the staff and I want you to know I support Mr. Anderson. If you do have a concern call my office.

"I hope today you found this helpful. I know the staff have put along work into today to make this happen."