I have a huge disdain for medical aid schemes in South Africa. We are basically held to ransom to pay exorbitant fees by the fear of having to use a government hospital, where the doctors are deemed to be inadequate. Firstly medical aid, as such, is only used in countries where a small group has to subsidise a large group with heavy expenses. So the small group of young, healthy contributors have to subsidise the larger group of old and in SA, hiv patients. In developed countries health insurance is the norm. Here, the government is trying to make health insurance illegal, as it takes away from the small group already supporting the sick in medical aid schemes. So what is the difference? Medical aid puts all the money into a pot and divides it out to whoever needs it. All members pay he same contributions although it can be varied by earning bracket. Medical insurances assess risk and your premium is calculated according to your personal risk. The funny thing is that medical aids are allowed to take out their own medical insurance once they have a certain amount in the kitty...so your exorbitant contributions line the greedy corporates pockets. Think of the huge advertising and marketing of medical aid schemes and the huge commissions paid to brokers...who is paying for that? So, is our fear of state hospitals justified? In some cases yes. Some hospitals are poorly managed. But I can say the same for some private hospitals. Are the medical staff more qualified in private hospitals? Not necessarily. Some are. But then you get the same variation across private hospitals. Last year Nigel had suspected cancer. We paid for private ultra sounds and not only was the incorrect type of cancer diagnosed but also the spread was missed. We went to state hospital. MRI was done, spread of cancer diagnosed. Surgery was done, no complications after surgery and today the scar is hardly visible. Chemo was then done at Albert Luthuli. The staff were friendly, caring and very informed. Everything worked like a finely oiled machine. We owe his life to the state hospitals. My dad had cancer too. He went private. His surgeon was hugely skilled and his operation took 5 hours. But the hospital care took a lot to be desired and 2 days later he had to be operated on again due to septicaemia. The medical aid tried to refuse payments even though cancer is covered by PMB and my family paid the surgeon themselves in the hope that they would be reimbursed by the medical aid which they eventually were after a huge fight and only months later. I have been unwell of late. I have the utmost respect for all in the medical field but I was misdiagnosed and told to take medication that probably exacerbated my condition. This is because my complaints were far removed from the condition but a simple blood panel would have revealed the problem. I went to see a physician at state hospital. Paid my R20 and saw a specialist. ECG, x rays and full bloods were done. Your R20 also covers any medication. The doctor knew all the right questions to ask and diagnosis was made. The queue went around the corner but the doctor was thorough with each and every patient and his manner was kind and attentive. I have friends that are surgeons, one in public and one in private sector. Both probably earn much of a muchness, which isnt enough for the investment they have and continually put into their education and for the responsibility on their hands. Both are highly skilled. Neither live a jetsetter life or drive porsches as is often depicted of doctors. The only ones living the life of luxury is the medical aid execs. I asked our friend in the public sector why then work in public hospitals if he could see half the amount of patients in better conditions and earn the same at a private hospital...and he said because he wants to make a difference. So, in not so short...people look into medical insurance instead of medical aid. And dont withhold respect or demean those doctors that chose a life of public service...rant over.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 16:25:18 +0000
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