THE Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) says they are still accepting PSMAS Medical aid cards in their health facilities but however indicated that service providers may charge varying co-payments and shortfalls depending on the service.
By Michael Gwarisa
This comes after several disgruntled PSMAS members had taken to social media expressing displeasure over the rejection of their medical aid cards by PSMAS health facilities. Some indicated that they were being requested to pay for services including admission in United States Dollars terms. The amount ranges from US$100 to US$250.00 depending on the service.
Speaking to HealthTimes in an interview, PSMAS Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager, Ms Paidamoyo Chipunza said, “PSMAS is a medical aid fund, which pays for services rendered to its members by any service provider accepting its card, including PSMI. We reimburse for the services using AHFoZ tariffs but service providers may charge varying co-payments and shortfalls depending on the cost of their services.”
She added that the medical aid society was in talks with government seeking to review their tariffs in a manner that would see members getting uninterrupted quality healthcare services.
“With regards to the sustainability of current monthly premiums, for the public sector, there are ongoing engagements with the Government for a subscription review, and there are positive indications that an agreement will be arrived at soon. With regards to the private sector, reviews are done in response to both inflation and exchange rate movements from time to time. In both instances, the Society’s desire is members’ subscriptions to be commensurate with expected member benefits,” she said.
PSMAS members are currently 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 and the recent development where certain services are being levied in foreign currency may hinder they chances of accessing quality healthcare services.
I am purchasing most of medications from private pharmasists who charge in USD but I get refunded by PSMAS in RTGS. This is unfair when I am on the Pinnancle Schem Elite. PSMAS Pharmacies should cater for us but no.