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.
With major medical schemes reporting average contribution hikes exceeding 9%, members face tough choices in an increasingly unaffordable healthcare landscape.
The Council for Medical Schemes has advised medical schemes to limit their contribution increases for 2025 to 4.4% plus ‘reasonable’ utilisation estimates.
Absenteeism costs South Africa R12bn to R16bn annually, with mental health-related ‘presenteeism’ adding an estimated R235bn a year.
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.
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The Council for Medical Schemes has withdrawn a directive for Discovery to retract its communication about contribution and benefit changes for 2024.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.
South Africa’s ‘Big Five’ medical schemes have published their 2024 contribution increases, and members should prepare to pay significantly more for cover.
Survey compares Bestmed, Bonitas, Discovery, Medihelp and the Government Employees Medical Scheme.