Major setback for medical schemes in legal battle over low-cost options
The Board of Healthcare Funders says it will appeal after the High Court dismissed its application on procedural and substantive grounds.
BHF
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.
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.
Court hears case on low-cost benefit options for medical schemes
The case raises questions about whether LCBOs will expand access to affordable private healthcare or threaten the rollout of NHI.
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.
CMS aims to release long-awaited report into racial profiling by year-end
Launched in 2019, the inquiry sought to investigate allegations of racial profiling by medical schemes. As 2024 draws to a close, the CMS is still battling objections and technical reviews to finalise the report.
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.
Another setback for CMS in legal battle over LCBO documents
The signing of the NHI Act does not mean the BHF is letting up in its fight for regulations on low-cost benefit options.
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.
CMS denies it is sabotaging medical schemes to boost NHI
The regulator comes out swinging in its response to the Board of Healthcare Funders’ claims of bullying and curatorship abuse.
CMS seeks reconsideration after court dismisses appeal on LCBO documents
The Supreme Court of Appeal’s dismissal of the Council for Medical Schemes’ appeal against providing documents to the Board of Healthcare Funders on low-cost benefit options marks the latest development in the ongoing legal dispute.
Low Cost Benefit Options and Demarcation – BHF also criticises announcements
The announcement by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) that no primary health insurance plans and low-cost benefit packages would be permitted after March 2021 was met by severe criticism from the industry. […]
Low Cost Benefit Options and Demarcation – BHF also criticises announcements
The announcement by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) that no primary health insurance plans and low-cost benefit packages would be permitted after March 2021 was met by severe criticism from the industry. […]
More on Healthcare Products Debate
Two recent articles in Business Day highlight the need for circumspection before implementing the demarcation proposals. The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) pointed out that the affordability of medical schemes is seriously hampered […]
