The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday rejected draft regulations under the Medical Scheme Act‚ published for comment by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi last week‚ which‚ if adopted‚ would allow medical aid scheme companies to only cover a portion of medical treatment costs‚ leaving consumers to pay the rest out of pocket.
Previously‚ Regulation 8 required medical aid scheme companies to cover the full cost of medical treatment‚ but this was set to change under the new draft of Regulation 8‚ the DA said.
“Raising the patient contribution for every medical procedure covered by medical aid will see more South Africans turn to the Public Health Care system‚ which is already overburdened‚” Dr Wilmot James‚ DA shadow minister of health‚ said.
“In the coming month‚ the DA will submit our alternative regulations to minister Motsoaledi‚ so as to ensure that there is a fair process between the consumer and the medical aid scheme service provider.
“In a fair society‚ consumers should not have to fight at the point of service over healthcare costs. Health services providers and those with vested interests in medical care should not be allowed to benefit from government intervention at the cost of some South Africans.
“Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees every South African’s right to health care access‚ and personal wealth should not determine who gets proper health care and who does not‚” he said.
DA: New medical scheme regulations will raise patient contributions
Previously‚ Regulation 8 required medical aid scheme companies to cover the full cost of medical treatment‚ but this was set to change under the new draft of Regulation 8‚ the DA said.
“Raising the patient contribution for every medical procedure covered by medical aid will see more South Africans turn to the Public Health Care system‚ which is already overburdened‚” Dr Wilmot James‚ DA shadow minister of health‚ said.
“In the coming month‚ the DA will submit our alternative regulations to minister Motsoaledi‚ so as to ensure that there is a fair process between the consumer and the medical aid scheme service provider.
“In a fair society‚ consumers should not have to fight at the point of service over healthcare costs. Health services providers and those with vested interests in medical care should not be allowed to benefit from government intervention at the cost of some South Africans.
“Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees every South African’s right to health care access‚ and personal wealth should not determine who gets proper health care and who does not‚” he said.
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