The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) said today, it is “encouraging” medical schemes to explore the possibility of giving members a premium holiday of three months as COVID-19 takes its toll on household finances.
CMS CEO, Sipho Kabane, said the regulator encourages medical schemes to assist vulnerable members who cannot pay contributions due to loss of income as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
“Schemes should investigate all disruptions to member contributions on a case by case basis and determine the merits thereof, before suspension or termination of membership,” Kabane said.
He added that where a member had accumulated sufficient savings in their Personal Medical Savings Account (PMSA) for a specific period, it would be in the public, interest to grant medical schemes exemptions from complying with their registered rules to use their savings to offset member contributions.
The regulator has also asked medical aid schemes to cover the screening, diagnosis, treatment and care of COVID-19 patients.
