THE Zimbabwean government says is engaged in talks with the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) with the paying capacitating ensuring civil servants who are PSMAS members accessing health services at health institutions of their choice without the need to pay top up fees to service providers.
By Michael Gwarisa
PSMAS members have been paying a monthly amount subscription rate of US$10.00 which according local health economists in no longer feasible. All along, government has been paying 80% (US$8.00) of the tariff for civil servants, while the civil servant has been paying the remaining 20% (US$2.00).
For PSMAS to remain viable however, executives in the organisation believe the ideal subscriptions would be US$30 for the main plan, US$60 for the premier plan and US$90 for the prestige plan every month.
It is however not clear whether the new talks between government and the medical aid provider would see a sub increase in government contributions to PSMAS or whether government would pay 80% of an increased tarrif from the current US$10.00. Sources from PSMAS who spoke to this publication recently indicated that a sub increase in contributions from government would go a long way in increasing member benefits.
The bulk of PSMAS membership comprises of civil servant, however, there have been growing concerns by members who have been struggling to access healthcare services as their cards were rejected by some health facilities due to shortfalls related issues.
Speaking during a Press Conference in Harare, Public. Service Commission Secretary, and Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said they would maintain their 80% contribution to Civil Servants premiums but would work to ensure members get services without any hurdles.
We are speaking to PSMAS to ensure that when a civil servant goes to a health facility with a PSMAS card in hand, he/she will be assisted without any challenges. Government is in talks with PSMAS and PSMI with the aim of helping them to avail services to Civil Servants without being requested to pay top up or without having their medical aid rejected,” said Ambassador Wutaunashe.
Government says it will pay 80 percent in medical aid premiums to all civil servants that are under the Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS).
“We are not going to allow PSMAS to collapse, we want PSMAS to succeed because they have been at the forefront of rendering premium services to government workers. We want government employees to know that when they go to seek services, their premiums would have been fully paid up and there won’t be any shortfalls to talk about.
“We want PSMAS and PSMI to work well. Financial support is also going to be given to PSMAS to ensure pharmacies have drugs and procurement process is smooth and easy and also that they can access them at other service providers using the PSMAS card. Government will also now pay 80% of civil servants.”
He added that PSMAS and PSMI are entities that have in the past provided healthcare services for civil servants, in ensuring that they continue to that the government has moved in to ensure they are capacitated to pay service providers by funding the existing gaps.
“The situation is set to change and respect for PSMAS card holders and is going to be restored as we want our civil force to access health services without any hindrances.”
