On July 12, 2021 the owner of a business was fined for offenses under the Health Insurance Act.

Marcelo Franca t/a Caytech Business was fined $4,800.00 or 4 months imprisonment for the failure to effect and continue health insurance on behalf of his employee, Anthony Roque.

Mr. Franca pleaded guilty on June 22, 2021, and sentencing was adjourned until July 12, 2021.

Mr. Roque had worked with Caytech since 2017 and they did not affect health insurance cover for him. In 2019 after Mr. Roque was no longer employed at Caytech, he complained to the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) that he believed that the premiums for his health insurance cover had not been paid by his former employer.

The HIC investigated the matter. Mr. Franca was unable to provide and information that he did have health insurance for his company or proof of health insurance cover for Mr. Roque while he was employed. Mr. Franca did provide health insurance for his business effective October 1, 2020 after Mr. Roque was no longer employed.

In court, Mr. Franca was represented by attorney Ms. Sheridan Brooks but no defense was made to the charges. Magistrate Angella Hernandez advised that the Health Insurance Act provides for a maximum penalty of a fine of up to $30,000.00. However she considered the amount that would have been paid in premiums for the period of Mr. Roque’s employment.On that basis, the Magistrate imposed a fine of $4,800.00 for the offence.

In 2012 Mr. Franca had also pleaded guilty for failing to effect and continue health insurance contract on behalf of another employee. For that offence Mr. Franca was fined $3,500 or 6 months imprisonment.