News

BESTMED AIMS TO MAKE HEALTHCARE AFFORDABLE

BESTmed Medical Scheme started the year on a positive note for its members with one of the lowest average increases of 6.26% on all options, and with some benefit increases.

BESTmed has over the last five years been extremely competitive has kept its member contributions below inflation.

Alan Fritz, general manager for corporate affairs, reiterated that BESTmed's strong reserves and its AA- Global Credit Rating makes it a scheme of choice.

This is evident from the satisfactory ratings they receive from their members.

Fritz said: "Driving down healthcare inflation is an absolute necessity for us to make healthcare affordable in this country.

"Good governance and exceeding expectations of our clients are what we strive for.

"Bestmed is a mutual scheme and the mandate from our membership as represented by our board of trustees is simple. World-class processes, systems and management performance demonstrate good corporate governance.

"The notion of providing excellent service to our customers and stakeholders is not good enough. Bestmed service levels should exceed customer expectations.

"To realise the expectations of our board, Bestmed has initiated a project that will take us to world-class status and implement benchmarked processes."

The scheme is in the best possible hands in the country with top skills ranging from legal, finance, human resources, academic and organised labour.

There are not too many medical schemes in the country that have the credentials that Bestmed has on its board of trustees, said Fritz.

The executive management is exposed to international trends in healthcare and is easily accessible to the members of the scheme.

The South African economy is experiencing excellent growth and the prediction is at least 6% over the next four years. Bestmed is in a fantastic position to capitalise on this growth as there is a huge number of potential members who will enter the healthcare market.

"We are geared for organic growth and our product offerings like Blueprint, designed for young individuals at entry level, are well priced and affordable with extensive medical cover.

"Our products from Millennium Basic, Millennium Standard, Millennium Comprehensive, Bonus Plus to our flagship Topcare are all carefully designed with the input of our members," Fritz said.

These products have the flexibility of a savings account and high-risk benefits that suit the needs of individual and corporate members.

Fritz said: "We will continue building on our entrenched value-based system of good and clean corporate governance, effective management principles and executing our strategies and business plans to the benefit of our members.

"Bestmed is on a mission to provide its members with access to quality healthcare in an ever-changing landscape."

Some may ask: "Why choose Bestmed as your scheme of choice?"

Bestmed has been in existence for more than 42 years and has a sustainable track record. It has a solvency ratio of 47%, way above the legal requirements.

Therefore, the scheme has the capacity to pay claims on behalf of its members expediently.

Fritz said: "Our excellent Global Credit Rating of AA- confirms the fact that the scheme is in good hands and that we are one of the fastest payers of medical claims in the industry.

"Our product line-up is designed with member-input, hence tailor-made for individual and corporate needs.

"Bestmed's service levels are way above the industry norm and we pride ourselves as a service-based organisation."