Against the backdrop of criticism of private hospitals made by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi at both the labour federation Cosatu's central committee and the Board of Healthcare Conference earlier this week, South Africa's fourth largest hospital group, National Hospital Network has challenged medical schemes and walk-in patients to shop around when seeking help for elective procedures.
'Not all hospitals charge the same,' said CEO of National Hospital Network, Otto Wypkema.
National Hospital Network's members include 93 independent private hospitals, day clinics and psychiatric clinics and ophthalmic clinics. The group is the fourth largest private hospital group with solid representation in South Africa's major cities and represents almost 18% of the private sector beds.
'We have received positive feedback from the Council for Medical Schemes as well as many medical schemes that our prices are competitive and cost effective,' he said.
'In our experience some consumers of healthcare are becoming very adept at seeking out the most favourable prices. Patients who suffer from chronic conditions and who have frequent contact with the medical profession, for example, are becoming more and more medical scheme literate, which is certainly to their advantage.
'Secondly, people seeking plastic surgery treatment which is not covered by medical schemes, are very astute when seeking the best price and quality treatment they can find.
'As a group we are committed to transparency in pricing and to containing costs wherever we can,' he said.
The same should be considered when you are choosing a medical aid scheme. With so many schemes on the market, it can be quite tricky to find one that is perfectly suited to your needs.
Comparing medical aid schemes will ensure you not only have adequate medical aid cover, but also the most affordable cover.
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