New Medical Scheme regulations will raise patient contributions

20 July 2015

The Democratic Alliance rejects draft regulations under the Medical Scheme Act published for comment by Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi last week, which, if adopted, will allow medical aid scheme companies to only cover a portion of medical treatment costs, leaving consumers to pay the rest out of pocket. 

Previously, Regulation 8 required medical aid scheme companies to cover the full cost of medical treatment; but this is set to change under the new draft of Regulation 8. 

Raising the patient contribution for every medical procedure covered by medical aid will see more South Africans turn to the Public Health Care system, which is already overburdened.

In the coming month, the DA will submit our alternative regulations to Minister Motsoaledi, so as to ensure that there is a fair process between the consumer and the medical aid scheme service provider. 

In a fair society, consumers should not have to fight at the point of service over healthcare costs. Health services providers and those with vested interests in medical care should not be allowed to benefit from government intervention at the cost of some South Africans.

Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees every South African’s right to health care access; and personal wealth should not determine who gets proper health care and who does not. 

Statement issued by Dr Wilmot James MP, DA Shadow Minister of Health, July 20 2015