SOUTH AFRICA - MEDICAL AID PREMIUMS MAY BE INCREASED TO ALARMINGLY HIGH COSTS SOON

Experts have warned medical aid premiums are due for double-digit increases and further benefit cuts could be a reality next year.

This follows reports earlier this week that the Government Employees’ Medical aid scheme is on the brink of collapse

Experts say a key factor in the sharp increase of medical aid premiums is an increase in the number of hospital admissions.

CEO of health management company PPO Serve Dr Brian Ruff says re-organising the current healthcare system could ease the burden on consumers.

"We have to start to make it possible to get healthcare essentially out of hospital by re-organising our system so that they are in the hands of healthcare workers who are able to do most of what people need and without admitting them into hospital."

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has also added its voice to the matter, requesting that medical aid schemes be subjected to competition legislation.

VIA - ewn.co.za