MEDICAL Aid Societies want to increase their tariffs by up to 400 percent at a time when healthcare costs are already unbearable for their members, the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) has said.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
This follows a recent upward review by 40% and 30% of fees payable by AHFoZ members to medical professionals and private hospitals units respectively.
“A number of the providers have also approached the association to submit requests for additional or new increases to the current tariffs for various reasons. The increases range between 50% and 400%,” said the association in a statement. “Regrettably, the contributing medical aid members and employer groups had to bear this increase.”
Medical aid societies have been receiving numerous complaints from their members and employer organisations over the increases in contributions as salaries are not going up.
At the moment, medical aid societies are still assessing the impact of these increases, as it is barely three months since their recent fees review. Judging from member feedback, another round of contribution increases so soon would be unaffordable for medical aid members, employer groups and health funders.
The prevailing economic conditions, characterised by liquidity challenges among many other negatives, have not spared health funders either.
“AHFoZ proposes that an urgent meeting of all concerned stakeholders be convened in order to find a workable solution so that patients continue accessing the required healthcare services,” said AFHoZ.
The association encouraged medical aid members to carefully consider any alternative options that may be available with the assistance of their health funders, when faced with difficulties in accessing services.
“AHFoZ would like to thank all service providers who continue to accept medical aid cards and to assist in the best possible ways under the circumstances,” said AHFoZ.
