Innovative DigiCare offers fresh gateway for new entrants to medical schemes
CompCare Medical Scheme has announced the launch of its newly developed digital option, DigiCare, offering an affordable entry point to the medical schemes market at a time when membership costs are rapidly rising.
Priced at R995.00 per beneficiary per month, the DigiCare benefit option opens the door to essential healthcare for single young adults just starting their careers. These individuals are keenly aware of the value of joining a reliable medical aid for unplanned medical emergencies.
“At the same time, there is a push towards the convenience and speed of a digitally enabled service. CompCare’s DigiCare option offers immediate membership – a standout feature and the first of its kind in the South African medical schemes market,” says Josua Joubert, chief executive and principal officer of CompCare.
"With approval from the Council for Medical Schemes, CompCare is spearheading a new era for tech-savvy healthcare consumers, backed by the scheme’s solid track record,” he says.
What DigiCare offers
According to Joubert, DigiCare offers the full spectrum of healthcare benefits, including comprehensive in-hospital cover at Netcare or Mediclinic hospitals, emergency care, day-to-day benefits, specialist visits, and travel cover through Universal Rewards. Key features include two online doctor consultations with medication and unlimited telephonic counselling with three face-to-face sessions when needed, alongside rich preventative and wellness benefits.
Prospective members can apply via the Universal.one App for CompCare members and if there are no underwriting requirements, membership will be active the next day – a groundbreaking development. A secure membership app connects users with the entire universe of their medical scheme, including an AI-enabled health check, a secure online doctor consultation platform and a market-leading holistic wellness app.
Beyond basic cover
“Consumers are increasingly conscious of maintaining good health from a young age. As advocates of preventative care and wellness, our offerings extend beyond typical health screenings, dental check-ups, and contraceptive care, the likes of which should form the absolute baseline of preventative cover,” notes Joubert.
“We are vocal champions of an individualised approach to wellness and believe that our members should be able to personalise their wellness benefits, not only to their lifestyle but to their preferences too, as research shows that this leads to greater sustainability in forming healthy habits.
“So, if a member of CompCare does not simply want to comply with step counts but enjoys a varied, high-intensity workout for example, we back that,” he says.
DigiCare members enjoy full access to CompCare’s exercise prescription and nutritional programmes in consultation with registered biokineticists and dietitians, respectively.
“By partnering with our administrator, Universal Healthcare, CompCare provides members with exceptional preventative and wellness benefits, all funded from the scheme’s risk pool, so members do not have to dip into their pockets for their preventative healthcare needs.”
Commenting on the launch of a new medical scheme product in light of NHI, Joubert points out that much still needs to be done to meet the immediate healthcare needs of millions of South Africans who require access to quality healthcare.
“There is considerable room for additional innovations in the medical schemes space. While we must move towards a future of universal coverage for all, we must also do what we can to approach unmet needs differently – this means finding intelligent solutions that build on proven systems right now.
“It is in this spirit that CompCare brings DigiCare to the market. We are delighted to be taking this next step in answering the healthcare needs of many more South Africans who want to get proactive about quality care and better wellness from the outset,” he concludes.