Paymaster Shield works for heart patient
Published:Friday | January 22, 2016 | 12:00 AMKeisha Hill
Pain! It is normally the first sign that something is wrong with our bodies. While some of us ignore the pain, hoping it will go away, others like Jennifer Guthrie, who felt intense pressure in her chest, took no chances and consulted her doctor immediately.
Initially diagnosed with acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), instincts told Guthrie something was still wrong. With the lingering pain, in an attempt to ensure she had not developed heart complications, Guthrie visited the Heart Foundation of Jamaica where an electrocardiogram (ECG) was conducted.
"The pain wasn't leaving me. I was disappointed that the results were not immediate, but I decided to wait patiently for them," Guthrie said.
However, before the results were known, tragedy struck. A few days later, after doing the ECG, while sitting in her living room, Guthrie suffered a heart attack and stroke at the same time. "I felt my mouth starting to twist. My son ran to me and said he saw when my hand started to get limp and I wasn't saying anything. They rushed with me to the Medical Associates Hospital and the doctors examined me," she said.
While still conscious, Guthrie indicated that she did a number of tests and the medical team decided to keep her at the hospital for observation. It was at this juncture that the 58-year-old lost consciousness and ended up initially spending just over one week at the facility.
Upon her release, she was re-admitted for breathing complications and was a patient there until she began recuperating and was well enough to be transferred to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) where she underwent another procedure to stabilise her heart.
"The medical bills started to mount, but it had to be done. I am giving thanks that I am much better now than when I left the hospital," Guthrie said.
Guthrie is the third recipient of the Paymaster Loyalty Rewards Progamme. She pays up to four bills each month at Paymaster and decided to sign up for the programme from the onset.
BILLS OFFSET
"When I picked up the cheque, I was so happy. It helped to offset some of my bills. There were so many expenses. One procedure cost me over $300,000," she said.
The Paymaster Shield is underwritten by Sagicor Life Insurance and covers critical illness and death. It provides a lump-sum payout in the event of being diagnosed with any of the illnesses covered, including, heart attack, stroke, cancer, and paralysis.
Customers become eligible for this and other benefits after paying three or more bills at any Paymaster location, islandwide, for three consecutive months. On completion of a full membership form and qualifying as members, customers will receive the free Paymaster Shield Insurance for $150,000 with the ability to upgrade the coverage up to a total of $1,000,000.