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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Health Reporter
Government has extended operating licences for defaulting medical aid societies by three months to allow them more time to acquit what they owe service providers, Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Gerald Gwinji has said.
In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Dr Gwinji said according to assessments done by the ministry, the majority of the medical aid societies had shown commitment to pay claims from service providers.
“We have assessed the performance of medical aid societies and some have greatly improved upon their performances in terms of meeting their obligations, but we still have some that are lagging behind.
“They have made some progress, but it is not good enough to be able to acquit all that they owe service providers,” said Dr Gwinji.
He said in light of the latest developments, Government had given them a 90-day extension to operate as they settle their claims with service providers.
“In those 90 days they must demonstrate further commitment towards meeting their obligations,” said Dr Gwinji, urging all service providers, especially doctors, to consider all medical aid cards saying they were duly registered.
He said Government and the medical aid societies had since come up with a plan and the societies had begun payments.
“We have come up with a plan where they have begun to meet their obligations. So we really plead with all the service providers to offer services to anyone who presents a card from a registered medical aid society.”
Government commended ongoing discussions between the service providers and the health funders to resolve some of their issues.
About 12 out of the 35 registered medical aid societies had been given six months temporary licences, which expired last month.
The temporary licences were meant to compel the societies pay up claims with service providers.
According to the regulations that govern medical aid societies, all claims should be settled within 60 days.
Online Reporter