\n\nGetty Images for Unsplash\n\n\n\nThe shift matters because it could determine the fate of several parallel cases. The court has signalled that if the public participation challenge succeeds, arguments about the President’s decision to sign may become irrelevant. In practical terms, this means the court may delay the most politically charged question – whether Ramaphosa acted rationally when signing the NHI…
Tag: Medical Schemes
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Bogus Doctors in focus as HPCSA Warns on Rising Fraud
The Health Professions Council of South Africa HPCSA is warning that unregistered practitioners are putting lives at risk. New cases of “bogus doctors” continue to surface. “If you’re in the hands of an unqualified person, you’re as well as dead,” says. The council is responsible for registering medical doctors and other health professionals. It also investigates complaints about practitioners practising…
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Sizwe Hosmed Curatorship Exposes R522m in Duplicate Claims
South Africa’s medical scheme regulator has escalated its fight to keep Sizwe Hosmed under curatorship. An affidavit filed in the High Court in Pretoria alleges serious governance and payment failures at the troubled scheme. The allegations include potential duplicate claims exceeding R522m, stale claims worth R81m, procurement concerns, and alleged misuse of a corporate credit card. The affidavit was filed…
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Sizwe Hosmed Curatorship Under Fresh Scrutiny
The curator of Sizwe Hosmed responded to critics after they launched legal efforts to liquidate her business and sequester her estate. Lebogang Mpakati, a registered business rescue practitioner, said the proceedings are private matters. She said they have no bearing on her ability to stabilise the troubled medical scheme. Mpakati is facing pressure from the scheme’s suspended board of trustees. The…
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Bonitas Tender Dispute: Court Action and Tender Controversy
South Africa’s second-largest open medical scheme, Bonitas, is opposing an urgent court application by Medscheme to block the appointment of two new service providers. The Bonitas Tender Dispute centres on Bonitas’ decision to end a 44-year administration relationship with Medscheme. Medscheme has served as its administrator since 1982. Bonitas, which covers more than 730,000 people, has appointed Momentum to take…
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Bonitas Medscheme Split Sees Momentum and PHA Win Contracts
The Bonitas Medscheme Split has become a major topic in the South African healthcare sector. Bonitas Medical Fund, South Africa’s second-largest open medical scheme, has confirmed a major supplier shake-up. It will end its long-running administration relationship with Medscheme and hand key roles to Momentum Health and Private Health Administrators (PHA). The changes cover all Bonitas options except Boncap, its…
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Busa Seeks an NHI Meeting with President Ramaphosa
Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has backed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s call to cool tensions around National Health Insurance (NHI). In fact, Busa seeks an NHI Meeting to ensure there is structured engagement with the Presidency in the first quarter of 2026. The aim is to discuss proposals previously submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Busa is the largest umbrella body…
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Dis-Chem MyHealth Partnership Defends Retail-Led Cover
Dis-Chem has defended its health insurance partnership with Centriq and Kaelo after a ruling by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). The pharmacy retailer says the decision clarifies the process. It argues it is not a warning shot against retail-led healthcare models. The CMS found that changes to the branding and presentation of Centriq’s MyHealth insurance products under the Dis-Chem…
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National Health Insurance Negotiations: SAMA Seeks NHI Talks
South Africa’s largest doctors’ organisation, the South African Medical Association (SAMA), is preparing for fresh talks with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on the future shape of National Health Insurance (NHI). The move follows a public push by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for organisations challenging the NHI Act to consider negotiating a settlement, rather than prolonging court battles. SAMA is one…
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NHI Truce Talks: Godongwana Pushes Settlement On NHI
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) debate may finally be shifting from courtroom combat to negotiation. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has called for the parties litigating against the NHI Act to declare a truce and work towards a settlement. The message is simple. Years of fighting over the policy have drained attention from the daily job of fixing a strained…
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NHI Court Challenges: Litigants Reject Settlement Call
Negotiations are unlikely to resolve the NHI Act court challenges in the near future. Most organisations taking the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act to court have poured cold water on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s suggestion that litigants should meet the government and “craft a settlement”. At the heart of the dispute is trust. Several groups argue that the government should…
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Medical Scheme Increases Amidst Regulatory Concerns
For millions of South Africans grappling with the rising cost of living, the announcement that medical scheme contribution increases for 2026 will largely remain within single digits offers a welcome reprieve. However, industry experts warn that these restrained figures mask a precarious financial reality. 2026 Medical Scheme Contribution Increases: Top 5 Open Schemes Medical SchemeWeighted Average IncreaseEffective DateKey NotesBestmed6.8%1 January…