Access To Affordable Quality Healthcare in SA
Millions of South Africans covered for more than century
MEDIHELP has provided excellent healthcare cover for millions of South Africans over more than a century, according to Heyn van Rooyen, Principal Officer.
“With the advent of high-tech medical services and pharmaceuticals, Medihelp has assured coverage of members’ health risks through proactive implementation of measures designed to minimise expenditure.
“We have also secured adequate access to quality private healthcare services nationwide.”
He says the self-administered medical scheme has developed a holistic approach. “We engage with suppliers of healthcare services to implement mechanisms aimed at the effective management of cost.
“Moreover, we empower members with information that enables them to become active participants in managing expenses and making well-informed healthcare decisions.”
Medihelp believes that escalating medical costs should be managed in innovative ways by designing competitive benefit options.
“These are not only risk tolerant from an insurance perspective, but also attractive enough for new entrants who are seeking value and product stability.
As a direct result of endeavours to maintain stability, there has been a significant improvement in the retention of members and excellent growth.
This is especially so within our Dimension and Unify products, which are attracting individual and corporate clients.
“The innovative Health Print programme employs individualised electronic newsletters based on the profiles and life stages of members.
“These offer relevant information while also providing access to activities that promote a healthy lifestyle for the whole family.”
Economic pressure has markedly increased the demand for low-cost hospital plans, high value network solutions (providing cover for private healthcare services) together with flexible savings options.
Medihelp offers 10 options, ranging from basic hospital cover to comprehensive in-and-out of hospital cover.
In addition, the scheme's value offering includes stateof-the-art service platforms tailored to address the needs of members, which greatly enables interaction with all Medihelp’s stakeholders.
According to Van Rooyen, these initiatives have contributed solidly to the scheme’s competitive market offering, which was hallmarked by market-related contribution increases.
“Having achieved this, Medihelp believes it lives up to the everpresent challenge of delivering quality and good value, which the market cries out for.
“Financial stability and performance are prime indicators of a scheme’s future sustainability.
“Too many South African schemes have seen their demise because of poor decision-making and financial mismanagement.
“In Medihelp’s case, proper governance and sound management contributed significantly to the scheme’s financial strength and ability to build sufficient reserves.
“The scheme concluded the last financial year with a healthy solvency level of 28.7 percent, which exceeds the statutory requirement.
“Non-healthcare costs as a percentage of risk contributions were managed downwards to a competitive 10.4 percent compared to other players in the market.
“Medical cover is a necessity, but its true value is only realised once members start using their benefits when health conditions earnestly demand it.
“Medihelp is committed to ensuring that its members enjoy top quality medical coverage while promoting healthy living in the quest for longevity.
“As American humourist Josh Billings once said, “Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.”