In December, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) announced that no Low-Cost Benefit Options (LCBOs) will be allowed for low-income consumers and no health insurance products will be allowed beyond March 2021. The pronouncements do not reflect a well-considered, balanced view on how to increase access to quality healthcare for low income consumers. They also demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of how private health insurance products have the potential to reach many lower income individuals, in the process, providing increased access to quality healthcare for all South Africans.
Come and listen to our expert speakers unpack the pronouncements
No charge – media welcome
Of interest: FMF media release: https://www.freemarketfoundation.com/Article-View/media-release_-government-is-intent-on-destroying-private-health-insurance-to-pave-the-way-for-its-nhi-scheme) and article by Michael Settas https://city-press.news24.com/Voices/removal-of-low-cost-health-plans-prejudices-low-income-workers-20191212
About the speakers:
Michael Settas, a member of the FMF’s Health Policy Unit, is an independent consultant specialising in the health funding industry. He is co-founder of health insurer Xelus where he served as MD for 10 years. He specialises in developing growth, stabilisation and management strategies for health funders. He has delivered numerous talks and written extensively on the existing regulatory framework for South Africa’s private healthcare system and government’s proposed NHI. Michael qualified in electrical engineering at Wits Technikon (NHD LC, 1991) and is also a qualified Certified Financial Planner (UFS, 1997).
Adrian Parsons, Executive Director of Khusa Consulting, has been in the employee benefits industry for over 20 years. Prior to joining KHUSA Consulting, Adrian was responsible for all business development within the JLT South Africa Group, he was an Executive Director and Owner of Eluleka Consulting - which he sold to JLT. He has also been the Managing Director of Healthcare at NMG Consultants and Actuaries. Adrian's key focus is on the growth and distribution of the business for KHUSA Consulting. Adrian’s experience is gleaned from consulting to some of the largest blue chip and State-Owned organisations in South Africa. Adrian has seen tremendous legislative change over this time, some change adding tremendous value to all stakeholders, whilst other changes detrimentally affecting those that it was intended to assist. As part of a corporate healthcare strategy, legislation will form an integral part of the overall design. Adrian understands the fundamentals of the basic framework necessary to create healthcare policies that work for corporates and members. These members will utilise various ancillary products, necessary to fund for their healthcare expenses, which Adrian has introduced into many employee bases.
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You will be able to watch this event LIVE via the FMF’s Facebook page by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/FMFSA/
or later watch it on our YouTube channel – usually uploaded within a day or two - accessible through our website www.freemarketfoundation.com
ENQUIRIES
Media enquiries
For more information and to arrange for photographs and interviews, contact:
Jayne Boccaleone
082 904 3616
jboccaleone@gmail.com
Other enquiries
Joan Evans
011 884 0270
joanevans@fmfsa.org