CMS approves framework allowing medical schemes to offer low cost benefit options from January 2016
The Council (equivalent of a Board) of the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) at its August 2015 sitting approved the exemption framework and principles allowing for the introduction of Low cost benefit options (LCBOs) within the medical schemes industry with these options being registered before January 2016. In terms of the approved framework, medical schemes seeking to register a LCBO must apply to Council for exemption in terms of section 8(h) of the Medical Schemes Act (MSA), 131 of 1998. Furthermore, medical schemes must also apply to be exempted from complying with certain provisions of the MSA.