South Africans are struggling with an economic backdrop of market volatility, rising unemployment and declining incomes. Add to that, spiraling utility costs, load shedding and fuel increases which make things even tighter, financially, for everyone. When income is stretched, decisions on where to spend and save become critical, including whether to spend hard-earned income on private healthcare. Medical aids need to be innovative and nimble with our healthcare offerings.
Our plans – from traditional through to hospital, savings, networks, Edge (virtual) and income based – are simple and easy to understand. These are structured to meet a diverse range of quality healthcare options that are easier on the pocket. 2024 will be no different, balancing valuable benefit enhancements, with a focus on keeping contributions affordable. We have a responsibility to educate members and non-members about making the correct choice when it comes to their health and to be proactive in guiding them towards living a healthier lifestyle. This includes our comprehensive Care programmes as well as preventative screening, wellness checks and additional benefits.
Creating caring
The reality is that the prevalence of non- communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension have increased year-on-year. This is further compounded by the increased burden of mental health which is a risk factor for non- communicable diseases and vice versa. To provide support to our members with non-communicable diseases we have enhanced our range of Care programmes to cover: Audiology, HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, mental health, back and neck, hip and knee replacements and hospital-at-home. A disease-specific approach has been created for these conditions, with a network of doctors that are experts in treating these conditions, to improve clinical outcomes.
be better benefit
To address the decline of preventative screening, including wellness checks and health risks assessments, we have intensified our drive to increase screening uptake, while ensuring our members have access to appropriate screening tests for all life stages. The ‘Be Better Benefit’ is funded completely from risk and provides a range of tests and benefits to ensure that members get access to the necessary screenings, to allow for early detection.
GET UP TO R5 000 MORE VALUE WITH THE BENEFIT BOOSTER
to use for out-of-hospital expenses.
Winner 2023 medical scheme of the year at the news24 business awards.
This innovative benefit provides access to a wide range of tests, depending on the plan selected, such as:
- An annual wellness screening per beneficiary to check blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI and cholesterol
- Flu vaccines, HIV tests, lipograms, mammograms, pap smears, prostate screening, pneumococcal vaccines, whooping cough boosters, HPV vaccines, stool tests for colon cancer, dental fissure sealants, free online hearing screenings and access to contraceptives up to R1 950.
Benefit Booster gets a boost
For 2024, we have enhanced our Benefit Booster. It is the only benefit in the market which provides members with access to an additional amount to use for out-of- hospital expenses, effectively giving savings and day-to- day benefits a healthy boost. Members can choose how to use their Benefit Booster, as it covers everything from additional GP consultations to acute medicines. Accessing these benefits is easy. Depending on the member’s selected plan, they simply need to complete an online wellness questionnaire on the Bonitas website and/or a wellness screening at a Bonitas wellness day or at a participating network pharmacy. Wellness screenings can also be done at a GP as part of an annual check-up.
Valuable advice
Navigating the medical aid environment can be tricky, which is why independent advisors are invaluable. Bonitas brokers are independent and unwavering in supporting our commitment to provide care of the highest quality are key, guiding clients when choosing a medical aid. We have renewed our forward-thinking focus on outcome-based healthcare, always striving to introduce new distribution models and channels that keep us current and sustainable. Our strategy is to be agile and to play our part in reshaping the healthcare ecosystem – walking the wellness path alongside our clients.