Medical scheme placed under statutory management as reserves plummet
The deterioration in Sizwe Hosmed’s reserves is attributed to ‘benefit under-pricing and historically unreliable budgetary and forecasting processes’.
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Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen say differences over NHI can be resolved
But statements by the Minister of Health indicate the ANC does not believe material changes to the NHI Act should be made.
Bonitas plans to ‘return’ up to R700m in reserves to members
The medical scheme says it will use its reserves to limit contribution increases, while possibly improving members’ benefits and reducing co-payments.
How NHI could cost employers and employees
It is expected that scrapping the medical scheme tax credit will be the first measure designed to raise revenue for NHI.
Costly battle: addressing absenteeism with corporate wellness programmes
Absenteeism costs South Africa R12bn to R16bn annually, with mental health-related ‘presenteeism’ adding an estimated R235bn a year.
CMS webinars for brokers, trustees, and medical scheme employees
The Council will provide a CPD-accredited training session for newly appointed healthcare brokers in August.
Medihelp’s solvency ratio drops below threshold amid high claims and rising costs
Medihelp submitted a CMS-approved three-year plan, requiring gradual contribution increases to restore its reserves to the statutory 25% level.
Discovery Health says Road Accident Fund is in breach of court order
In 2022, the High Court ruled that the fund could not withhold payments for past medical expenses covered by medical schemes.
Investigation calls into question the narratives used to support NHI
BHF-commissioned study identifies 11 assertions made about private healthcare and medical schemes that lack foundation.
Discovery’s enhanced screening benefit will be available to new members after 2024
DHMS provides an update on the impact of the WELLTH Fund and membership movements following the consolidation of the Comprehensive series.
What medical scheme members should know about new financial reporting standards
The change is aimed at making the financial information of insurers more easily comparable across countries and industries.
Medical schemes get costlier as reform takes a back seat to NHI
Members of medical schemes are paying up to 30% more because the regulatory system broke down after the government’s focus shifted to NHI.
How the NHI shake-up may impact South African healthcare
There are concerns about the sustainability of private providers and whether the public will face higher costs to maintain their current level of healthcare.
NHI ‘collaboration’ means different things to the government and the private sector
In an interview this week, President Ramaphosa was asked whether South Africans will pay higher taxes to fund NHI.
Medical schemes assure members that NHI is a long way off
The expected legal challenges to the legislation and the pressure on the state’s finances could delay full implementation of the system for many years.
CMS invites BHF to collaborate, criticises ‘forum-shopping’ tactics
The BHF’s canvassing of key policy issues in the public domain via a ‘deliberately leaked’ lawyer’s letter indicates the organisation ‘has run out of creative ideas’.
Council mulls outsourcing appeal adjudication amid BHF accusations
The CMS asserts that medical schemes have frequently disregarded the existing appeals procedures, exploiting them to the detriment of members’ interests.
