Last week Selfmed launched a comprehensive medical care product which will charge applicants as little as R1, 020 a month for the principal member. It's called SelfNET and the scheme claims the launch of the product is a ground breaking move towards making private healthcare more accessible to South Africans.
Additional adult members are also charged R1, 020 per month while adding minor dependents will cost R360 extra a month for each child (up to a maximum of three).
SelfNET provides national comprehensive hospital cover in respect of Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), chronic and day-to-day cover through the extensive CareCross Health Network.
"Every measure possible was taken to ensure that the cost of the product remains contained. In line with this, the plan is contracted with the cost effective individual service providers while not compromising on quality of care.
"Selfmed Medical Scheme entered into negotiations with CareCross Health to bring a sustainable, affordable option to market that does not compromise healthcare benefits. The name SelfNet refers to the fact that the product is a networked plan – a considered that is vastly outwaited by the benefits it offers," said Christo Becker, principal officer of Selfmed.
A Mail & Guardian report last year highlighted that only 16% of South Africa's 52 million population have access to medical schemes.
Private medical schemes' high premiums are thought to be the reason behind why some are not insuring against medical costs. Becker added that premiums can sometimes take up as much as 14% of members' salaries.
"We also aim to provide access to preventative healthcare through this option. A philosophy that is not yet entrenched in South Africans as access to healthcare, in the past, remained costly. With SelfNET we make medical aid accessible – it is a breakthrough for Seflmed Medical Scheme."
For more information about the product, click here.