The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

CUSTOMS and Immigration officers are still reporting disrupted health insurance coverage and being forced to pay medical bills out of pocket, according to their union, more than a month after the Davis administration said insurance services had resumed following a suspension affecting hundreds of public officers.

The Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union said it has reached an impasse in its efforts to get answers, claiming some members have been denied benefits and told they will not be reimbursed for medical expenses paid while their coverage was suspended.

The union said problems affecting officers date back to the latter part of October 2025, when members began reporting difficulty accessing benefits under their existing policy.

It said it has sought explanations since December through emails, letters and telephone calls to the heads of Customs and Immigration and senior Ministry of Public Service officials, but has been unable to establish why coverage has been disrupted or how long the problem will continue. “To date, despite the union’s best efforts,” the union said, “the employer has either not responded to the initial inquiries nor the follow up correspondences (as in the case of the Ministry of Public Service) or stated that they have no information (as in the case of both department heads).”

The union said the heads of Customs and Immigration told it only that they had received notice of the suspension and had no further information.

“The insurance unit in each department has advised,” the union said, “that any payments made by officers during the suspension will not be reimbursed.”

The latest complaints revive questions surrounding government health insurance arrangements that erupted publicly in July after Colina Insurance suspended benefits for workers in several government agencies.

Documents previously seen by Tribune Business showed that Colina suspended all benefits under affected administrative services only plans from July 3. Customs, Immigration, police, Defence Force and prison officers and teachers were among the groups affected.

At the time, Office of the Prime Minister communications director Latrae Rahming described the disruption as a temporary administrative matter involving co-ordination between the relevant parties.

He later announced that progress had been made and that insurance services had resumed, saying the Davis administration remained committed to supporting public officers and their families.

The nature of the administrative problem was never publicly detailed.

The Customs and Immigration union now says some of its members continue to encounter difficulties despite that announcement.

“The union nor the officers are being told why there is a suspension and how long the suspension will last,” it said. “The union finds this unacceptable considering that the lives and wellbeing of so many hangs in the balance.”

The union highlighted concerns among pregnant officers and members who recently gave birth, saying uncertainty surrounding their medical coverage had caused fear.

It also pointed to the risks faced by officers stationed at ports of entry, the detention centre and in enforcement and investigations, as well as those assigned to private vessel clearances.

“However, the insurance coverage was put in place for a reason,” the union said.

It claimed some medical practitioners have contacted officers seeking payment because the insurance provider declined to pay for services already rendered.

The union called on the employer to resolve the problems with the insurance provider.

It also said discussions with organisations representing other law enforcement agencies suggested similar incidents were occurring elsewhere.

However, checks by The Tribune produced a mixed picture.

The Police Staff Association said it was aware of only one member experiencing an insurance problem, while a Royal Bahamas Defence Force source said there were no issues affecting its members.

Customs Comptroller Ralph Munroe and Immigration Director Stephen LaRoda told The Tribune they were unaware of the union’s complaints.

The Tribune also sought comment from Finance Minister Michael Halkitis but was unsuccessful up to press time. Mr Halkitis’ portfolio includes responsibility for the Customs Department.