Government's decision to raise rates for FutureCare users got a thumbs down from the head of an advocacy group for seniors.

Age Concern director Claudette Fleming yesterday said the organisation was "extremely disappointed" with the call.

In the 2010 National Budget Statement presented to the House of Assembly Friday by Finance Minister Paula Cox, it was revealed persons eligible for the second phase of Government's comprehensive health insurance plan, will be required to pay $600 a month.

Premiums will also increase for the 2,681 seniors who joined in the first phase from $262 to $300.

An additional 5,471 seniors will be eligible for the second phase. Benefits include unlimited physician visits, $2,000 prescription drugs coverage, vision and dental care as well as overseas care when necessary. The second phase is open to anyone over 70, and anyone who turns 65 this fiscal year.

Age Concern had initially endorsed the plan, describing it as a "bold way forward" that provided health care to seniors at an affordable price.

Ms Fleming said yesterday: "It is with deep regret that we learnt through the announcement of the Budget the changes that are being made to the FutureCare plan.

"However, we now find ourselves grappling to understand why the Government would almost double the price for seniors 70 years and older and further increase FutureCare premiums to those who currently subscribe to it. We would like to know what feasibility study was undertaken to determine the new premium and how many seniors in this age group can actually afford FutureCare at $600 a month."

Ms Fleming said the charity understood why the first phase had focused on seniors already enrolled with Government's basic health care plan as such persons were likely to be able to afford a private scheme. However, she said, "We would also like to understand the rationale for permanently reopening HIP as an option for health care when the introduction of FutureCare was supposed to be the answer for HIP's shortcomings. Now, HIP is being offered without prescription drug coverage which will put its senior subscribers at a further economic disadvantage

"We cannot support an increase of FutureCare premiums at any level, especially given the current economic crisis where families may not be in a position to help their older loved ones based on the economic challenges currently being faced by us all."

Mrs. Fleming added that Government should do a thorough review of the plan and get input from seniors to better gauge what a reasonable premium would be. Private plans for seniors range between $5,000 and $18,000 a year and the benefits the private plans offer vary.

Last week Health Minister Walter Roban said Government had spent a long time deciding the $600 premium for the second phase as they wanted it to be reasonable but also ensure FutureCare would be sustainable. And he said the benefits of FutureCare would cost approximately $1,000 a month in a comparable private healthcare scheme.

"We feel that $600 is reasonable, especially when compared to the private sector," he said.

On Government's decision to keep HIP open to seniors when it was originally closed to them for several months last year, Minister Roban said: "We wanted to give seniors choice, they can pay $241 for basic coverage, $600 for FutureCare, or they can go to the private system."

The third phase opens April 1, 2011. Minister Roban said it would be open to seniors between 66 and 69, though he did not say what their premium would be.