Rising costs prompt members to weigh medical scheme options
Downgrading to a lower plan may appear to be a cost-saving strategy, but it frequently results in increased out-of-pocket expenses.
Downgrading to a lower plan may appear to be a cost-saving strategy, but it frequently results in increased out-of-pocket expenses.
Bestmed states pending rules for low-cost benefit options have further complicated efforts to reduce costs for members.
The Council for Medical Schemes has advised medical schemes to limit their contribution increases for 2025 to 4.4% plus ‘reasonable’ utilisation estimates.
In 2022, the industry saw a net income of R2.57 billion – down from R12.18bn in 2021 – and faced an operating deficit of R6.155bn, the largest in 23 years.
The Council for Medical Schemes has withdrawn a directive for Discovery to retract its communication about contribution and benefit changes for 2024.
Discovery has lodged an appeal against a Council for Medical Schemes directive to retract communication to members about its 2024 contribution and benefit changes.
Survey compares Bestmed, Bonitas, Discovery, Medihelp and the Government Employees Medical Scheme.