Medshield announces generous benefits for 2008
Pictured : Medshield Chairman, Peter Moyanga
Medshield, South Africa's fifth largest medical scheme, has today announced a basket of healthcare products that continue to offer real substance to its members.
Medshield has been protecting lives since 1968 and can confidently point to a trusted history and credibility as two cornerstones of its tremendous success. Staying true to the schemes long tradition of offering real value, the scheme is focused this year on every day benefits that really count for all private sector members. This is often where members of other schemes end up dipping into savings plans or have to fund surplus costs themselves, whereas Medshield is incorporating many additional day-to-day benefits as inclusive stated benefits.
Moyanga comments, "We truly believe that we know what our members want from their medical scheme. In fact it is this understanding that lead us to take the decision some years ago to deliver superior value on our products as a priority over reward schemes."
"This same principal is applied to the 2008 benefits which I am tremendously excited to announce. In particular, our inclusive maternity, dentistry, optometry and doctor visits are excellent. This is what people who opt for medical cover are paying for in the first place. The scheme's 10% net growth in membership in the last year proves that we are getting this right."
Medshield is providing particular value to expectant and new mothers, with superior benefits across all options. These benefits include up to 300% of the Medshield Tariff on top options and 12 gynecology consultations on four options, in addition to two 2D scans on the four options.
MediBonus
MediBonus provides the ultimate in healthcare cover for higher income earning families or those with the greatest medical needs. This comprehensive option provides unlimited overall annual limits and unmatched benefits.
MediPlus
South Africans with middle to high medical expenses will find the MediPlus offering carefully tailored to meet their needs. The option provides generously for significant care such as an unlimited overall annual limit for in-hospital treatment and excellent benefits for chronic medication and alternative healthcare.
MediValue
MediValue is the epitome of value for money for the everyday South African family. This option illustrates the unrivaled day-to-day benefits on which Medshield prides itself and with ample benefits covering treatment such as dental surgery and refractive eye surgery, MediValue is a solid and dependable option that will suit most South Africans.
Access
Access remains an ideal option for the low-income market, offering a non-capitated healthcare network and attractive incentives such as unlimited optometry benefits within the network. With an overall annual limit of R550, 000, non-government unions and a large portion of the low-income market will find this option highly competitive.
HospiPlan
Medshield's all-inclusive in-hospital benefit plan, HospiPlan, offers those best suited to this cover an incredible value offering. With an unlimited overall annual limit this option covers specific out-of-hospital costs, this is expected to be a first choice for many. HospiPlan provides unmatched maternity benefits, covering 12 gynecology consultations as well as two 2D scans, saving members a considerable amount of money.
Moyanga comments, "We invite members of the public and brokers alike to compare Medshields products with those offered by competitor schemes. We've done our research in order to present carefully designed options that offer value where it counts. A large portion of Medshield's membership has been with the scheme for many years, testimony to the fact that this scheme is a healthcare partner of distinction."
Medshields healthy financial position speaks for itself. As the scheme with a Global Credit Rating of AA- for the second year running and a solvency ratio exceeding 60% (while regulations only require a 25% solvency ratio), Medshield has the resources to pay members claims timeously.
The scheme is leveraging a fixed 12% rate increase across the options and members are urged to review the comprehensive and generous benefits, which ultimately provide an even better value proposition than ever before.
Moyanga concludes, Excellent service levels and products that offer the benefits that our members really will use we believe that this sets us apart from our competitors. We guarantee our members healthcare cover that they can rely on, with no hidden costs.
