Medical aid schemes blame laws for barring cheaper health cover
Prescribed minimum benefits said to rule out provision of more affordable options to lower-income consumers
Medical aid administrators and medical schemes are again calling for a speedier review of legislation that prohibits them from offering cheaper cover in a stagnant health insurance market that has been struggling to attract new members for years.
They say existing legislation requires medical aids to cover the cost of treating a baseline set of conditions and diseases in full, making it impossible for health insurers to provide cover below R1,000 a month. Health insurers say that by being able to offer plans that exclude prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs) they could provide cheaper medical aid options that are more accessible to lower-income consumers...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.