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PSEMAS tops Renaissance in survey

The Namibia Private Practitioner’s Forum conducted a survey aimed at measuring the efficiency level of service delivery by the four open ended medical aid funds as well as PSEMAS from the perspective of private practice healthcare professionals. 215 healthcare professionals took part in the survey made up of Medical Practitioners, Dentists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists to mention but a few. Healthcare professionals and patients prefer the intermediary role medical aids play in settling medical expenses but are seldom aware of the efficiency of service delivery. A slow rate of payment could be an indication of poor administration and at worse, an indication of insolvency experienced by the fund. Stakeholders on either side of the spectrum remain unaware of the problems experienced due to their absence in direct aims.

This prompted the NPPF to ask healthcare professionals across the country to rank medical aid funds on General Service Delivery, Promptness of Payments of Accounts and the Efficiency in Resolving Complaints. Following the results of the survey, NHP ranked favourably followed by Nammed and NMC. PSEMAS was perceived favourably better than Renaissance in the survey.  In response to the results of the survey, Renaissance Health Medical Aid Fund Principal Officer, Sonja Malan said, “The Fund is committed to a high level of service provision. We concede that our primary objective and mission is to provide financial security on health matters to our members and henceforth we are committed in improving all spheres of the Fund with our primary priority on service delivery for 2014. Our sentiment is echoed by Prosperity Health, and underscored by the commitment of Bertus Struwig.” Responding to The Economist, Marketing Manager of the Prosperity Group Marisa van Staden said, “Affordability within the Healthcare Industry in Namibia is an ongoing concern to all parties involved. With the increase in the cost of medical services exceeding consumer inflation year on year, affordability will always be a core challenge for all medical aid funds. RHMAF’s contribution models are affordable, and have consistently rated amongst the lowest in Namibia since inception, with our range of Options to accommodate and provide for all spheres of the Namibian population, hence we are justified in both our pricing and benefits.

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