News

South African firm to manage UgaMed

Insurance firm East African Underwriters has invited Liberty Health, a Johannesburg-based financial services group, to administer UgaMed, its medical insurance unit. Dr Peter Botha, Liberty Health's Chief Executive Officer, said on Tuesday that East African Underwriters (EAU), an arm of the Madhvani Group, had entrusted his company to administer UgaMed with effect from July 1.

This means that the company's 6 000 customers will now be handled with a unique opportunity to receive a wide range of health covers in one package, according to Liberty.

"We are very excited to have finalised Liberty Health's first administration agreement with partners outside of South Africa. Liberty Health brings a range of solutions to Africa and other emerging markets, improving service delivery whilst simultaneously realising associated cost reductions," Mr Botha told the press in a communication that shortly followed that sealing of the deal.

He added that the UgaMed contract will be the direct responsibility of the Liberty Health business unit, Vmed, a leader in medical administration and member services.

Addressing the company's members, Botha said: "UgaMed members can be rest assured that considerable forward planning has taken place to ensure a seamless transition from existing administration arrangements to our modern, leading-edge systems.

The changeover has been structured to ensure no disruption to claims handling, call centre access or member services."

Liberty Health is a member of the Johannesburg-based Liberty Group, specialising in the provision of services to businesses in the medical and related sectors.