
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.
The Board of Healthcare Funders says it will appeal after the High Court dismissed its application on procedural and substantive grounds.
Insurers are allowed to offer primary healthcare policies for an additional two years pending the finalisation of a framework for low-cost benefit options.
In its long-awaited report, the Council for Medical Schemes says its preferred recommendation is not to introduce LCBOs.
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.
The case raises questions about whether LCBOs will expand access to affordable private healthcare or threaten the rollout of NHI.
Contribution increases in 2025 are exceeding CPI, with some medical schemes aiming to rebuild reserves and ensure long-term sustainability.
The signing of the NHI Act does not mean the BHF is letting up in its fight for regulations on low-cost benefit options.
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’.
The regulator comes out swinging in its response to the Board of Healthcare Funders’ claims of bullying and curatorship abuse.
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