Another problem for medical aid members in South Africa

• The prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs) system in South Africa remains largely unchanged despite significant changes in healthcare costs and treatment patterns.
• The PMBs system was introduced to ensure medical scheme members could continue receiving treatment for certain serious conditions after exhausting their normal medical aid benefits, but its regulations are outdated and contributing to rising healthcare costs.
• The Board of Healthcare Funders is calling for urgent reform of the PMBs system, which could help reduce pressure on medical aid members, but the process is delayed due to uncertainty surrounding the National Health Insurance (NHI) plans.