WILLEMSTAD – People aged 69 and older may face difficulties when applying for or renewing a residence permit on Curaçao due to health insurance requirements, according to Fundashon pa Konsumidó. The consumer organization says some elderly residents are unable to obtain or maintain health insurance because insurers may refuse coverage based on age.
The foundation has urged Minister of Justice Shalten Hato to urgently find a solution. According to the organization, several elderly residents have reported that they can no longer obtain local health insurance because of their age.
Fundashon pa Konsumidó also says that some people who already had an insurance policy were informed that their coverage would end once they reach the age of 69. Without valid health insurance, they may no longer meet one of the requirements for applying for or renewing a residence permit.
“De facto exclusion”
The consumer organization describes the situation as unreasonable and legally problematic. According to the foundation, elderly residents risk being effectively excluded from obtaining or maintaining legal residency status, even though they have no control over the age limits and acceptance policies applied by private insurance companies.
Fundashon pa Konsumidó has asked the minister to explore several possible solutions, including an exception for residence permit applicants aged 69 and older. Other options could include alternative forms of financial or medical guarantees, a government-recognized guarantee system, or a special safety-net arrangement.
The organization also suggests that the government enter into discussions with insurers to develop a health insurance option that remains accessible to elderly residents.
Fundashon pa Konsumidó stresses that any solution must provide sufficient medical coverage while preventing people over the age of 69 from ending up in a legally impossible situation where they cannot meet residency requirements because they cannot obtain insurance.