Buy now, pay later (BNPL) credit can now be used to pay for weight-loss medicines. This comes as a new doctor-led programme tries to make sought-after GLP-1 drugs more affordable. Obiflex offers virtual consultations with doctors who can prescribe the medicines. Furthermore, it lets patients spread their monthly treatment cost over instalments. How the buy now, pay later offer works…
Tag: Medical Schemes
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Medical scheme contributions: BHF challenges CMS
Medical scheme contributions for 2027 have become a point of contention between the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). The BHF has challenged the regulator’s guidance that schemes anchor next year’s contribution increases at 3.8%. It argues that the figure does not adequately reflect the cost pressures facing the industry. The association represents schemes…
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Acute Pain in African Hospitals Affects Two-Thirds of Patients
Acute pain in African hospitals is far more common than previously documented, with two-thirds of admitted patients affected, according to a new University of Cape Town (UCT) study. Researchers found that 67.9% of adults experienced some level of pain, while 14.4% – roughly one in seven – reported severe pain, defined as a score of seven or more out of…
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Mpox Cases in SA Rise as Local Transmission Accelerates
Mpox cases in South Africa have climbed sharply over the past few weeks, prompting the Department of Health to urge immediate and sustained public co-operation. By 17 September, the country had recorded 18 laboratory-confirmed infections and one probable case, according to departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale. The trend points to growing local transmission of a preventable viral infection. Mohale said 13…
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Discovery Group Results: Profit Climbs 17% to R17.75bn
Discovery Group results for the year to 30 June 2026 show normalised profit from operations up 17% to R17.75bn. This growth was driven by its South African businesses and the international Vitality operations. The group also lifted its final ordinary dividend 36% to 273 cents per share. Headline earnings rose 34% and normalised headline earnings 21%. Meanwhile, normalised return on…
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Mandatory Medical Scheme Membership Could Lower Costs
Making mandatory medical scheme membership a requirement for everyone earning above the tax threshold could cut cover costs by up to 30%. This is according to research commissioned by the Health Funders Association (HFA). The findings appear in a report released yesterday. The HFA, which represents medical schemes and administrators covering roughly half the market, modelled two linked reforms: compulsory…
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Mediscor Medicines Review: Medicine Spend Rose 4.7% in 2025
Medicine benefits remain one of the clearest ways members feel the value of their medical scheme, according to the 2025 Mediscor Medicines Review. The report describes not runaway growth but steady pressure from utilisation, high-cost therapies, chronic disease and member affordability. The analysis draws on fee-for-service schemes with ongoing Mediscor PBM contracts, covering more than 1 million beneficiaries. Year-on-year shifts,…
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Young adult mental health claims rise 80%
Young adult mental health is becoming an increasingly important driver of healthcare demand in South Africa. This is according to Discovery Health’s HealthTrend26 report. Among members aged 18 to 30, the prevalence of mental health claims has increased by 80% over the past decade. The report draws on more than 60 million life-years of clinical, lifestyle and behavioural data. It…
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Discovery’s headline earnings set to rise
Discovery expects its headline earnings to increase by 31% to 36% for the year to end-June, driven by growth in its South African operations and Vitality business. The financial services group said it delivered robust results during the year. The group expects its normalised operating profit to increase by 15% to 20%. The group forecasts 13% to 18% growth for…
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GEMS principal officer suspended
The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) has placed its principal officer, Stan Moloabi, on precautionary suspension while it completes an internal administrative process. GEMS confirmed the decision on Tuesday but did not disclose the nature of the process. Moloabi also confirmed his suspension. The scheme has appointed its chief operating officer, Dr Vuyo Gqola, as acting principal officer. Meanwhile, the…
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Parmed Medical Aid Reform Bill Moves Through Parliament
The National Assembly is considering legislation that could end compulsory membership of the Parmed Medical Aid Scheme for MPs, judges and other public office-bearers. ActionSA MP Dr Kgosi Letlape introduced the private member’s bill. It proposes amending the Parliamentary and Provincial Medical Aid Scheme Act of 1975. Under the amendment, eligible officials would be allowed to remain with Parmed, move…