Medical Aid Archives - B2B Central

19 Oct 2020

Construction industry medical scheme keeps growing despite a slow economy

By Staff Writer

At the 2021 benefit launch of the Building and Construction Industry Medical Aid Fund (BCIMA), Phumelele Makatini, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Officer of the scheme had heartening words and good news to share with members. “In what has been one of the more difficult years in our industry, BCIMA has continued to grow...

24 Jun 2020

Coping with anxiety in a COVID-19 world

By Staff Writer

We’re so focused on the tug of war between our economic and physical health that our mental health has fallen by the wayside. CEO of medical scheme Profmed, Craig Comrie says there has been a noticeable drop in psychiatric claims despite telemedicine facilities being made available and covered by most medical aids. “We are concerned...

13 May 2020

Making sure lifestyle diseases are under control during COVID-19

By Staff Writer

As the number of Covid-19 infections moves over 10 000, the health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has expressed concern about the huge risk group of South Africans suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. In other words Comorbidities. The words ‘comorbidity’ and ‘comorbid conditions,’ are common medical terms. Comorbidity refers to one or more diseases or conditions...

10 Apr 2020

When the going gets tough, farmers are on familiar territory

By Janice Roberts

South African farmers are old hands at adapting to uncertain and daunting circumstances, and our local agricultural industry has proved to be most enterprising in acclimatising to challenges as they arise.

08 Apr 2020

Free virtual medical consultations for all South Africans

By Janice Roberts

Bonitas Medical Fund today announced that it has extended its free virtual medical consultations to all South Africans. This facility includes medical advice about COVID-19, other medical problems, the writing of prescription, where necessary and free delivery of chronic medication.

07 Apr 2020

Can I freeze my medical aid contributions because of financial strain during COVID-19 lockdown?

By Janice Roberts

South Africans are under significant financial strain following recent occurrences, particularly regarding the extreme measures implemented by President Cyril Ramaphosa in an attempt to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

03 Apr 2020

Unleash billions from medical emergency reserves, urges KHUSA Consulting

By Janice Roberts

Financial services expert, KHUSA Consulting, has called for the release of billions of rands from medical schemes’ emergency reserves to help treat COVID-19 patients in South Africa.

02 Apr 2020

COVID-19 - Making sure medical aid, savings and risk benefits are covered

By Janice Roberts

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional financial pressure on South Africans. If you are being retrenched or having your hours cut, you might be pondering your options on pausing or cancelling retirement fund or medical aid payments.

28 Mar 2020

COVID-19 in South Africa – we must all play our part

By Janice Roberts

In December 2019 an outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) broke out in the city of Wuhan, China.

19 Mar 2020

Taking the first steps if you test positive for COVID-19

By Janice Roberts

While people who contract COVID-19 (Coronavirus) who are under the age of 80 and do not have any pre-existing conditions – such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension or cancer – are most likely to experience only flu-like symptoms, those who are over 80 years of age or individuals with pre-existing conditions are...

18 Mar 2020

How to avoid late joiner penalties on your medical scheme

By Janice Roberts

With the cost of purchasing medical scheme cover being unaffordable for many South Africans, many people only feel the need to buy medical scheme cover when they experience ill health, or reach an older age and need the cover, but delaying this grudge purchase can lead to additional expense.

12 Mar 2020

Coronavirus and medical scheme benefits in South Africa

By Janice Roberts

While it has been reported that a virus like COVID-19 would not usually be covered as a prescribed minimum benefit condition, where the virus amounts to an emergency condition then it will fall within the PMB legislation.