B2B Central

medical schemes

10 Oct 2019

Why Discovery is introducing a New Mental Wellbeing Programme

By Janice Roberts

Depression will be the world’s leading contributor to the global burden of disease by 2030, based on mental health risk statistics. This is reflected in the latest Discovery Health Healthcare Claims Tracker, which reveals key trends in mental health related claims by members of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS, or the Scheme), and confirms...
26 Aug 2019

What are the consequences of using a non-DSP for medical procedures?

By Janice Roberts

By: Tony Singleton, CEO of Turnberry Management Risk Solutions In an effort to ensure quality service in the face of medical inflation, many Medical Aid Schemes have implemented networks of Designated Service Providers (DSPs). This helps control costs and means Medical Aids can offer discounted plans that restrict members to these networks. For members of the...
16 Aug 2019

'All avenues being considered to fight NHI'

By Janice Roberts

The Solidarity Institute announced today in a statement that it is considering all avenues to fight the ‘damaging effects’ the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) will have.
23 Jul 2019

Is it time for Plan B?

By Janice Roberts

It is widely recognised that inflation of medical costs outstrips overall consumer inflation and, after many years of medical aid premiums doing exactly this, it could eventually be time for medical aid members to re-evaluate their options.
02 May 2019

New Principal Officer for Bonitas Medical Fund

By Janice Roberts

South Africa’s second largest open medical scheme, Bonitas Medical Fund, today announced the appointment of a new Principal Officer. Taking up the reigns from 1st May 2019 is Mr Lee R Callakoppen. Callakoppen, who has a Masters in Human Resources Management, began his career in the retail sector before moving into Human Capital, holding positions...
28 Nov 2018

Attributes of a good healthcare adviser

By Janice Roberts

AUTHOR: Victor Crouser, Coastal head of Healthcare for Alexander Forbes Most medical schemes announce their changes for the following calendar year from September onwards. The changes normally come into effect on 1 January and towards the end of the year is when members must re-evaluate their cover and determine if they are on the most...
10 Oct 2018

Is your medical aid plan still right for you

By Janice Roberts

AUTHOR: Shreekanth Sing, technical legal adviser at PSG Wealth It’s that time of year again, when medical aid schemes announce their benefit changes and costs for the year ahead. Given that medical aid costs are escalating faster than inflation, it can be tempting to look for ways to save. But it’s important to properly consider...
05 Sep 2018

Putting members back in control of their healthcare – and finances

By Janice Roberts

Lack of flexibility regarding their unique healthcare needs is listed as the single biggest concern of medical scheme members. Jeremy Yatt, Principal Officer of Fedhealth Medical Scheme, explains that while medical schemes are generally limited by legislation from personalising benefits in a way the market would ideally prefer, over the last six months Fedhealth has...
28 Sep 2017

Taking on the high cost of healthcare

By Janice Roberts

Medical aid premiums have been growing at above-inflation rates for the last decade or more. Last year again saw double digit increases way above the Consumer Price Index, often accompanied by benefit cuts. These increases are placing increasing burdens on those who are fortunate enough to have medical aid but, at a broader level, they...
14 Oct 2016

CMS releases annual report

By Janice Roberts

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), regulator of the medical schemes industry, released its Annual Report for 2015-2016 today (14 October), which includes the most comprehensive report on the private medical schemes industry in South Africa.
23 Sep 2016

Momentum Health puts healthcare clients’ needs first in 2017

By Janice Roberts

“Offering members continued peace of mind in 2017 amidst a challenging industry-landscape, remains Momentum Health’s core focus”, says Damian McHugh, Head of Health Marketing at Momentum Group.
08 Sep 2016

BHF members embrace new ARV treatment guidelines

By Janice Roberts

The Board of Healthcare Funders and its member medical schemes have backed the introduction of the new anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment guidelines which will see all HIV positive patients starting anti-retroviral treatment as soon as they are diagnosed, rather than waiting for their CD4 count to fall below 500.