Call for Meeting Over Medical Aid Shortfalls

There is need for Government to convene another meeting with medical aid societies and doctors to deliberate on the huge shortfalls incurred by patients, a cabinet minister has said.

The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said his ministry had received complaints from patients that medical aid societies have become useless while on the other hand doctors were charging huge fees for their services. "Some are saying medical aid is no longer relevant because patients now have to foot the bulk of medical bills. This calls for another meeting involving medical aid societies and doctors to save patients from incurring huge shortfalls," Dr Parirenyatwa said. He added that the confusion between the three parties emanated from the fact that people were no longer working as a team.

"We need to sit down and discuss on both fees charged by doctors and contribution rates charged by medical aid societies not the individualism that is currently prevailing in the sector." Dr Parirenyatwa said in the past two weeks, his ministry held several meetings with representatives from both medical aid societies and doctors on the same issue.

However, because of the confusion reported by members, there was need for his ministry to convene another meeting. Dr Parirenyatwa also said he was aware that some doctors were now refusing to offer services to patients on some medical aid societies. Medical aid societies had increased contribution rates by at least 265 percent effective from January 1. However, the increase was barred by the National Incomes and Pricing Commission saying it was not done procedurally and societies should then revert to last October rates. This move has since trapped the three parties, medical aid societies, doctors and members in a quagmire that has resulted in doctors charging exorbitant fees and societies only reimbursing paltry amounts to members who then incur the bulk of their medical bills.

While medical aid societies were barred from increasing their rates, hospitals and doctors were not ordered to revert to their October rates, which is the main cause of the confusion.

Source:allafrica.com