Medihelp Medical Scheme announced three plan enhancements that will be to the benefit of budget-smart and financially-fit South Africans. The Scheme also introduced a co-operative strategy designed to provide gap cover and primary care products at its virtual product preview on 1 October.
Says Varsha Vala, Medihelp’s Principal Officer, “The enhancements to our plans are based on a deep understanding of our current and potential members. MedMove! our digitally-enabled plan for students and first-time buyers of medical aid, now offers cover for as little as R750 per month for students. MedElect has been structured to meet the needs of companies – big and small. The child beneficiary age has also been increased from 21 to 26. And on MedSaver, our plan for young families, we’ve increased the amount that you will receive once your savings account has been depleted with 110%.
“We’re also excited about the Omnihelp co-operative strategy, which combined with the Medihelp products, will provide a complete and compelling value proposition. It focuses on comprehensive care, affordability, and partnership-driven innovation. The partnership will play a critical role in supporting the healthcare journeys of our members, making quality healthcare accessible to more people and reducing the financial pressures often associated with private medical care.”
Medihelp announced an increase of 10,8% on all its plans from 1 January 2025, except on MedMove!, where students will pay 50% less. “Our contribution increase is sensitive to the pockets of members. Our rapid growth and previous price adjustments placed our solvency under pressure but we are ahead of our budgeted solvency ratio, which we attribute to our profile of members and our risk management strategy.”
Future fit
Medihelp is embracing the power of technology to personalise engagements and empower members. “Each member’s personalised Electronic Consumer Record allows us to provide expert and personal managed care, digitally monitor areas such as chronic care compliance and pick up key points of intervention when needed, in real-time. In fact, by leveraging AI-driven data analytics, traditional case managers have become healthcare coaches.
The Scheme will also make a home monitoring app available to eligible members. The app uses ground-breaking technology to measure vitals. Another digital innovation is the introduction of digital health kiosks at corporate wellness days.
Podium finish at Ask Afrika
“But we all know that nothing can replace the human touch. Our podium finish for service in the Ask Afrika Orange Index is a testament to this,” says Vala.
Product enhancements
Medihelp’s product range for 2025 offers comprehensive, savings, and basic plans, including:
• MedElect: This plan is ideal for employer groups, focusing on the two most important aspects for this market segment – comprehensive benefits at a competitive price point. As a value added benefit to curb rising medical aid costs and demonstrate client centricity and value for money, we have increased the child beneficiary age from 21 to 26. The day-to-day limit per beneficiary will increase with 94%.
• MedSaver: Members will get R2 500 once their medical savings account has been depleted – this is 110% more than it currently is per family for GP consultations, specialists, and medicine. The annual day to day benefits per member has also been increased by 80%.
• On MedMove!, students will have access to quality healthcare for as little as R750 a month. This translates into a contribution reduction of almost 50%.
• Limits will increase with 5%.
“All these changes still have to be approved by the Council for Medical Schemes,” says Vala.
In addition, Medihelp will implementing personalised care initiatives and enhanced member journeys and experiences to support members in seeking the best health outcomes. These include:
• A Parenting journey with access to a digital companion and a digital personal assistant to support new moms and dads during the first phase of parenthood.
• A dedicated programme for members with depression that will support them in and out of hospital. We’ve now also included the services of a social worker in the benefit.
• A post-hospital care innovation. This offering has been introduced several months ago and already we’ve already reduced preventable hospital re-admissions by 15% and given back over 2 500 productive hours back to our members.
“Our members have been overwhelmed by the care and benefits they have received after being discharged from hospital through the post-hospital care innovation,” says Vala.
The Scheme also announced that it will celebrate its 120-year anniversary in 2025. “For more than a century, Medihelp has been supporting South Africans with exceptional medical aid cover. We believe our success lies in our ability to adapt to the times. Also, to apply our experience and wisdom to craft medical aid plans and value-add journeys that allow our members to live their values,” Vala concludes.
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