19RB1022R0007 Questions and Answers as of July 15 2022.pdf

U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Serbia Solicitation 19RB1022R0007

Supplemental health insurance services for U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Serbia

Questions &Answers

As of July 15, 2022

1. Question: As the James Zadroga Act is tax is applicable to this solicitation, could you please advise how you apply it. – on the gross written premium or on the net written premium? Who should pay this tax- the Embassy by paying 2 % less than the invoiced premium amount or shall this tax be paid extra by the contractor and if yes, what is the payment method?

Answer: Unless the contractor chooses the exemption on the W-14, they shall invoice the full contract amount and the Embassy will deduct 2% from the total invoice amount in accordance with the Act. A sample of the debit note will be provided to the awardee. The awardee must provide a copy of the W-14 form along with invoices submitted for payment.

2. Question: According to C.1.1.17 out Out-of-Country Medical Treatment are not included, but C.1.1.18 allowed cover for Out-of-Country Medical Travel with 80% Reimbursement for the Transportation for out-of-country medical treatment if certified health care provider confirms in advance that the treatment is medically necessary and unavailable locally. Transportation should be covered, but medical treatment itself not. Please clarify.

Answer: We are confirming that only Out-of-country Transportation charges are covered while Out-of-country medical treatments are not.

3. Question: It is common practice to offer GMC (Global Medical Coverage). Would you apricate and accept offer that covers medical expenses incurred out-of-country, be the same and subject to the same total maximum annual limit as for medical expenses incurred in-country?

Answer: Off the shelf plans that provide out-of-country medical coverage in addition to other benefits not specified in the proposal will be considered technically acceptable as long as the submitted offer meets or exceeds all other minimum areas of coverage.

4. Question: Is this a mandatory plan, meaning all employees of the Embassy will be covered or voluntary, meaning the employees must sign up for the health insurance or is it a voluntary one, meaning the employees can sign up for the insurance by choice?

Answer: This is a voluntary plan to which employees may subscribe if they wish.

5. Question: What are the possible differences to the provided “Estimated Number of Premiums and the number of enrolled for the insurance as the number of insured persons is essential for the risk evaluation (premium rates calculation)? Also, in case this is a voluntary health insurance, what solution could be found for the insurance company if the number of really enrolled insureds is less than 40 % of the initially estimated number of insureds?

Answer: This is a voluntary plan and employees may enroll by their choice. Annual enrollment seasons serve to allow employees to enroll in the plan for the first time, to change type of enrollment (e.g., from single to family, etc.), or to cancel current enrollment.

6. Question: Would electronic submission of proposals be accepted by the Embassy?

Answer: Yes, see instructions in the solicitation invitation letter.

7. Question: Is there a preferred list of Hospitals, Clinics or other Medical Facilities that the Embassy employees prefer? If yes, please provide a list of these facilities.

Answer: No. Employees are allowed to select and visit clinics/doctors of their choice.

(End of Questions & Answers)