Medical Aid

 

SA signs innovation agreement with Novartis

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A high-level memorandum of understanding (MoU) for medical research and development has been signed between the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the department of science and technology (DST) and Swiss drug firm, Novartis. The MoU, a public private partnership (PPP), aims to establish a framework for potential cooperation between the parties. This will allow..
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Medici medical app launches in South Africa

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A medical app, Medici, that is said to be revolutionising the doctor-patient relationship, is now available in South Africa. The next-generation secure messaging app enables users to communicate virtually with medical providers via text, call, or video. Originally launched in the U.S., the app hosts an array of practitioners including family physicians, paediatricians, dermatologists, dentists,..
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Making Sense of Medical Aid Rates and Tariffs

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The medical aid industry is known for confounding consumers with all sorts of complex terms. Among the most confusing of all are references to medical aid, or medical scheme, rates. Schemes and plans are quoted as covering the costs of in-hospital procedures up to 100%, 200% or 300% of the scheme rate or tariff. You..
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Climbdown on medical aids

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The Department of Health has done a U-turn on its plan to scrap medical aid schemes, saying they should work with the state when it rolls out National Health Insurance instead. Department director-general, Precious Matsoso, met leaders of the medical aid plan sector and asked that they work together to reform healthcare in South Africa…
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Best and worst medical aids in South Africa.

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The latest GTC Medical Aid Survey for 2016 has been released, which compares local medical aid schemes on price across various levels of cover. According to the latest General Household Survey from Stats SA, only 17.5% of South Africans are covered by medical aid. Between 2002 and 2015, individuals who were covered by a medical..
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‘No money for medicines’ shock – What is going to happen to the patients ???

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Patients’ anti-depressant, anti-anxiety drugs cut – but department denies shortage State patients needing anti-anxiety drugs or anti-depressants are being turned away from Provincial Hospital’s outpatient clinic and told by the nurses to buy their own drugs or that they do not need pills to stop an anxiety attack. “I have lost so much weight that..
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Is your GP contracted in to a medical scheme network?

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If GPs are contracted in to a medical scheme network, they might be pressurised to recommend cheaper treatment options and medications, say SA health bodies. The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) and the IPA Foundation (IPAF) is extremely concerned at the comments made recently by the Health Professions Council of South Africa concerning Designated Service..
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Most affordable medical aid schemes and hospital plans in South-Africa for 2017

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The medical aid industry saw a massive shake-up in April as National Treasury introduced new regulations which will see a limit on the amount of gap cover and hospital cash-back policies you can claim, as well as the discontinuation of all primary healthcare policies. This is was done in an effort to differentiate between “medical..
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Why opting out for a cheaper medical cover can cost you in the long run

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Medical cover is expensive, and getting more so every year. Unfortunately this could mean we opt for lower monthly premiums that could mean you aren’t covered in the event of an expensive procedure. The South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) is advising South Africans to consider the multiple factors affecting cover when choosing access to..
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With winter around the corner, you need to know what flu really feels like !!!

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You’re sneezy, stuffed up, and feel bad all over. Is it a cold, or do you have the flu? The symptoms can be a lot alike. But if you know the warning signs of the flu, you can get treatment quickly and work on feeling better, sooner. What You Need to Know Unlike a cold,..
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Have you factored in medical expenses into your retirement savings?

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People often believe that if you gather significant assets during your lifetime and put enough into your retirement or pension fund during your career, you don’t have to worry about living comfortably in your later years. But in an environment where medical costs are rising and markets are constantly fluctuating, is that really true? Here’s..
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The case for a restricted medical scheme

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With the sustainability of medical schemes coming under increasing scrutiny, many companies may be left wondering whether offering restricted medical scheme membership to their employees is still a viable benefit. Restricted membership medical schemes – those not open to the public and where membership eligibility is dependent on working in a certain industry sector, company,..
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Manage your medical expenses during winter season to obtain optimal value

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To obtain optimal value from your medical scheme plan, it’s critical to fully understand the scope of benefits it offers and to manage those prudently. To obtain optimal value from your medical scheme plan, it’s critical to fully understand the scope of benefits it offers and to manage those prudently. It’s an especially important consideration..
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Desperately seeking: A viable healthcare payment system

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South Africa’s private healthcare sector is under severe pressure, particularly with rampant inflation tracking at rates higher than CPI, creating a system that will eventually, in the not too distant future, become unsustainable. In fact, at the end of last year, most of the country’s medical aids announced double-digit premium increases for 2017. “Issues that..
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What to consider when deciding on a medical scheme

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Are your health insurance costs too high? Try decoding your medical aid terms and conditions and associated costs to make sure that it works for you. “While health insurance is important, it comes at a cost that is rapidly rising. Unfortunately for the consumer, this affects medical scheme membership contribution rates, and the increases of..
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