Sizwe Medical Fund and Gen- Health Medical Scheme announce intention to merge.
The Council for Medical Schemes have just released a circular that indicates that Sizwe Medical Fund and Gen-Health Medical Scheme want to merge.
If anyone wants to object to the above transaction they need to do so in writing before the 30 September 2010.
Have a good day
Kenny.
Posted by Kenny Williamson at 30 Aug 2010 
Categories: Council of Medical Schemes
Tags: Sizwe Medical Fund Gen-Health Medical Scheme
Categories: Council of Medical Schemes
Tags: Sizwe Medical Fund Gen-Health Medical Scheme
Let's hope with all out might, that should Gen Health and Sizwe medical funds do indeed merge, that it will be a huge improvement on what Gen Health has delivered to date, and current members (many of whom have decided to join other medical funds as from 2011) may decide to stay with sizwe then
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and so gen health had themselves liquidated and left it's members without medical cover, even though contributions for October 2010 was paid over to them???????????? Disgusting, so much for consumer protection in our country!!!!!
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Hello Annie,
Unfortunately i only try and keep the blog updated with what i hear...although not all the time either (time committments).
This is a link regarding the news i received today.http://www.timeslive.co.za/business/article705963.ece/Gen-Health-under-liquidation
Unfortunately doesn't say much.
This is exactly why it is important to belong to a scheme with a good high level picture. when people start comparing benefit to benefit, without looking at solvency, no. of members and the like...they end up on the wrong track. And then it is too late.
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Scemes protect themselves againts members that might cause them money...but what the members do to protect themselves ? I was forced to join Gen-Health as part of the company group in 2009, left the company in Sept 2010 and was told I could only cancel membership in January after giving 3 months notice...now they all gone...What can I do ? 1. to Gen-Health 2. To the Council 3. To my previuos employer ...I suppose nothing. But hey...we love it to live in SA !
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Hello Lori,
I know it is frustrating.
The Council for Medical Schemes just released another message.
You have been given the opportunity to transfer to Medshield Medical Scheme, without any general waiting periods or condition specific waiting periods. Medshield have given the undertaking that they will take members as from 13/10.2010.
Here is the letter from the Council. Press release
I hope it helps.
P.s. Brokers have again been warned to act with restraint.
Kenny
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It appears that i downloaded the incorrect letter.
This is the correct one.correct release from Council for Medical Schemes
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I am speachless! This whole fiasco has touched the lives of two people close to us! One man was lying on the operating table, already sedated, when someone from the hospital's accounts department came running into the theatre, demanding that the procedure be stopped, since Gen-health has "gone under". The doctors were forced to proceed with the operation, but heaven knows who will be liable for the account. Another friend of ours, a broker himself, had a HUGE operation last week to remove cancer, and the next day was told that he had to be transferred to a state hospital. Fortunately, his doctor is trying his utmost best to keep our friend in the private hospital... Who knows what will happen? Who is going to pay for the chemo, radiology, etc... ??? It looks as if people's LIVES are now at risk! Two years ago we went through a similar ordeal with Renaissance Medical Scheme. Soon after the birth of our Son (by C-Section), we were informed that we had ONE DAY to cancel our membership, since the company had also "gone under". Thank God (and I really, really mean this), my hospital expences were covered, but we had to pay many doctors' bills ourselves. How is this possible? Is there no ethical code that medical aids should adhere to? How on earth could this happen and how on earth can anyone be sure that this will not happen again? Who will protect us? Even the brokers are completely stunned by what is happening! Shame on you, whoever is responsible! We are now on a three month waiting period with a new medical aid... Hopefully we will all be healthy until 1 February 2011!
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Hello Lana,
Thank you for adding your comments. I honestly think communication expressed is important and considering the experiences you mention below, it must have taken some restraint to word your message so pleasantly.
In an article in the Personal Finance this past weekend, they state that members with unpaid claims can contact the Gen- Health liquidator Kobus van der Westhuizen on 012 329 5775. I know this isn't much...but there you have it.
You also had the option of joining Medshield Medical Scheme without any waiting periods (notice issued by Council for Medical Schemes).
Healthcare in the country is very complex and is constantly in flux, so i doubt whether there will be simple clarity and certainty anytime soon. Due to the complexity of the industry and legislation surrounding it, a medical aid really needs to be on top of their game to make sure that they stay sustainable.
Much can be said for schemes underpricing benefits to attract members and lowering benefits rather than increasing contributions. Is this in itself an ethical issue?
From my personal point of view, the schemes need to make sure they attract the best brains and technology to run the scheme and stop going into what is called a "death spiral".It takes a responsibility to members beyond what is called for in most industries and courage to ask for help.
Ask the broker putting you on a scheme why he/she is putting you on the scheme...be careful if the first reason is a benefit comparison or a premium comparison. The schemes sustainability is the most important issue. This can be seen in all the amalgamations and all the liquidations. Remember that you also put yourself at risk of waiting periods if you are keen to chop and change schemes. That being said from a brokers point of view, there is not enough money on putting people on individual memberships to even sustain a practice (unless doing a huge turnover)...many only do medical aids and put up with keeping abreast of changes etc, to please clients that are even more "scared" of everything that is constantly changing.
Remember, it pays to have cover!
Kenny
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Im with you on this one. We were also a member of genhealth and are receiving accounts from August already that were never paid! And the best part of it all is that we received a statement from gen-health saying they were paid, but it never went into the service providers accounts. I actually dont know what to do, my son was in hospital in August and some of those accounts arent paid. They tell you to call the liquidator, but they arent helpful at all, and I was with a broker, who is of NO HELP WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!! how are we as the consumer protected against this kind of service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Hello Everyone that has been commenting on this post.
I thought that i had better update the post.
Discovery have announced an underwriting concession for members of Gen Health who wish to join Discovery Health Medical Scheme.
Existing members of Gen- Health will not be subject to underwriting on change of membership to Discovery Health.
This was announced about two weeks ago, i am delayed due to year end pressure.
I will do a new blog post with all the details.
Thank you all for your comments, communication is the key to understanding.
Remember, it pays to have cover!
Kenny Williamson
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Hospital plans make vital sense: if you do not have one you could find yourself in a major predicament that will leave you helpless and without medical attention.
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Can anyone commenting here refer me to an alternate source for further research. This weblog has some data but I would like a dependable supply for more info.
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You can try the Council for Medical Schemes website www.medicalschemes.co.za
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Who will win the Champions League??
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Write more often
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Fasting is not bad, let down the site to your bookmarks.
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Fun!
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I subscribe to the RSS feed.
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Informative, but not convincing. Something is missing, but what I do not understand. But, frankly: - Bright and benevolent thoughts.
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Just want to inform you guys that Kobus v d Westhuizen does not even reply to my e mails containing outstanding bills from my Pharmacy and Dr's accounts. What do we do next, any other recommendations. If so keep me informed.
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Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be okay. I'm surely enjoying your blog and look forward to late updates.
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Thanks for the news! Just thinking about it! By the way Happy New Year to all of you
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We were involved in the Gen-Health/Sizwe fiasco and had the bank return our premium in October last year, but now the Liquadator is threatening us with legal action if we do not pay the premium. We are pensioners and utilized the premium funds to cover our medical expenses over the time before we became members of Sizwe. What do we do now? Can you perhaps help us Kenny?
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Good site
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