What the BHF and HASA are arguing in their legal challenges to the NHI Act
The Board of Healthcare Funders wants to see records that disclose whether President Cyril Ramaphosa disregarded constitutional concerns before signing the NHI Act into law.
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Negotiating forum is a ‘critical step’ in addressing the cost of healthcare
But the government cannot afford to set up an independent supply-side regulator as recommended by the Health Market Inquiry.
Sanlam’s split with Bonitas paves the way for exclusive Fedhealth partnership
After months of speculation, Sanlam has officially partnered with Fedhealth as its exclusive open medical scheme provider.
ANC and its ministers reject reports of NHI ‘concessions’
Recent media reports over the future of NHI have been contradictory and hard to make sense of. Spotlight chased up those in a position to know where things stand – it seems the ANC has not made any major concessions on NHI. There is, however, agreement that medical schemes won’t be phased out in the next few years, something that likely wouldn’t have happened in any case given the poor state of the economy and the long timeline for NHI implementation.
Health Minister signals opposition to low-cost benefit options for medical schemes
In its long-awaited report, the Council for Medical Schemes says its preferred recommendation is not to introduce LCBOs.
BHF slams CMS report on LCBOs as flawed and politically motivated
The Board of Healthcare Funders questions the timing and content of the CMS’s report, claiming it ignores stakeholder input and the opposition to low-cost benefit options is politically motivated.
Minister proposes interim framework for collective healthcare tariff-setting
The Board of Health Funders has ‘serious reservations’ about giving the Department of Health the power to manage the block exemption negotiation process.
Healthcare coalition says NHI is ‘unfeasible’, proposes alternative route to universal health coverage
The Universal Healthcare Access Coalition – which includes healthcare professionals and funders – contends that a single tax-funded system cannot effectively provide universal medical coverage.
Healthcare costs are rising – but so is the need for cover
Medical inflation and increasing health demands are making healthcare more expensive. Instead of cancelling your medical scheme, here’s how to adjust your plan to stay covered without breaking the bank.
Majority judgment ‘does not alter’ RAF’s liability for medical scheme members’ claims
The High Court in Cape Town rejects the Road Accident Fund’s contention that the Mlambo judgment has altered the legal landscape.
Cap on healthcare broker fees increases by 4%
The new limit applies to contributions received from 1 January.
Discovery vs RAF: CMS executive says High Court got it wrong
A regulatory expert believes the judgment misinterpreted key legal principles in its ruling on the RAF’s obligation to reimburse medical schemes.
BHF to appeal decision to deny tariff negotiation exemption for medical schemes
It says the Competition Commission’s ruling hampers access to affordable private healthcare and contradicts recommendations from the Health Market Inquiry.
Private hospitals push back on NHI legislation
The Hospital Association of South Africa joins other organisations in challenging the NHI Act in court but keeps the door open for dialogue with the government.
Motsoaledi to disclose plans for private healthcare reform
The Department of Health labels a report of a compromise on NHI as ‘ridiculous and unfounded’.
Discovery to appeal ‘far-reaching’ judgment in favour of RAF
The High Court says Discovery Health misconstrued the scope of the judgment that set aside the RAF’s first directive on the payment of medical scheme members’ claims.
How the dispute between the RAF and Discovery unfolded
Discovery Health’s quest for reimbursement from the RAF for medical expenses incurred by road accident victims has faced multiple legal hurdles, with new RAF directives complicating the situation.
