Sizwe announces 8.9% hike SIZWE Medical Fund has announced an 8.9-percent average increase in contributions for next year, while Spectramed Medical Scheme has announced an increase of 7.53 percent. Spectramed, which covers about 53 000 lives, has announced its intention to merge with Liberty Medical Scheme. Members were recently asked to vote on the merger, which is subject to approval by the Registrar of Medical Schemes and the Competition Commission. In light of the potential merger, the scheme will not be introducing any amendments to its options. Alexander Forbes Healthcare reports that Sizwe Medical Fund, which covers about 149 000 lives, has increased benefit limits by the Consumer Price Index and introduced a maternity benefit programme that offers additional benefits over and above the current day-to-day benefits. A wheelchair benefit of between R1 500 and R3 500 for the year, depending on the option, has also been introduced. Alexander Forbes said Sizwe will introduce a new option, the Basic Care option aimed at low-income earners, in the first quarter of 2014. The option will offer limited day-to-day benefits, such as three general practitioner visits, R670 for acute medication, and R1 million of private hospital cover in certain hospitals only. The oncology limits on the three existing options have been increased to R70 000, R150 000 and R200 000. A number of open medical schemes have announced average increases for next year ranging from 6.4 percent to 10.6 percent. Samwumed, the scheme for municipal workers, has announced an increase of 12.8 percent for next year. Laura du Preez: Personal Finance
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:04:10 +0000
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