B2B Central

Medical Aid Schemes

01 Feb 2021

'Medical schemes cannot bear the brunt of vaccination funding'

By Staff Writer

With the South African government’s vaccination rollout plan delivered to the public in early January, the last few weeks have seen a flood of scrutiny and reservation from the private sector, opposition parties, and the general public at large. Described countless times as ‘overly ambitious’, the target of vaccinating 40 million South Africans (said to be 67% of the population) before the end of 2021 has put into question the state’s ability to fund this critical endeavour.
18 Jan 2021

SA failed to get its act together on vaccines: here’s how

By Staff Writer

By Shabir A. Madhi, University of the Witwatersrand South Africa has an estimated population approaching 60 million. To achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, the government recently set the ambitious goal of vaccinating 67% of the population – roughly 40 million people. According to the outline of this plan, this would be achieved within 2021. But is this ambitious target even...
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...
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.
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.
10 Mar 2020

Should you budget with cashbacks to multiply your money?

By Janice Roberts

Given the current economic climate, many South African’s are struggling to make ends meet and some are relying on cashbacks from rewards programmes to multiply their money.