Over the last two years, we have witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging around the world, causing countless deaths and immeasurable suffering. Thanks to the rapid development and deployment of COVID vaccines, the situation is starting to be brought under control.
Locally, life insurance companies have experienced many COVID related death claims, increasing their claim costs by billions of Rands. As a result, they reviewed life insurance premium rates and informed brokers that, if a life insurance applicant is not vaccinated against COVID or cannot provide proof of COVID vaccinations, they would load the life insurance premium by up the 50%. Recently, as the COVID infection wave starts to stablise and more people are vaccinated, life insurance companies reviewed their underwriting requirements and relax the conditions accordingly. Liberty says the for life insurance applicants not vaccinated, they will not increase their life insurance premium unless the applicant is over the age of 60. Old Mutual says they will not load the life insurance premium for applicants below the age of 50. Discovery Life also confirms they will not load the life insurance premium. In addition, they provide an incentive: If the life insurance applicant can provide proof of vaccination within the first year of life insurance policy, they will refund up to 100% of the first year policy premiums, based on the client's medical and Vitality status. The move by life assurers to proactively review their underwriting conditions is welcomed, especially in the current inflationary economic environment. Written by: Kevin Yeh, CFP®
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Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is taking proactive steps to make sure members who need it have the necessary cover for COVID-19. Who is covered for treatment related to an outbreak disease such as COVID-19? The WHO Global Outbreak Benefit is available to all members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) during a declared outbreak period. This benefit offers cover for out-of-hospital management and appropriate supportive treatment of global World Health Organization (WHO) recognised disease outbreaks and out-of-hospital healthcare services related to COVID-19. The basket of care includes:
Once you suspect that you have COVID 19 or had a contact with someone who tested positive these steps are to be followed:
Once Discovery has received and review member will get the following benefits
Source: Discovery Health Discovery has further enhanced their COVID-19 hub, adding videos, infographics & articles at a central points. Discovery COVID-19 navigator offers to guide & support everyone through their vaccination journey; Everything you need to know COVID-19 podcasts Understanding vaccines Join the conversations with Dr Noluthando Nematswerani as they unpack the details around COVID-19 vaccines. They dive into how vaccines work, we look at how COVID-19 vaccines protect us by strengthening the immune system. The videos with Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, are available on Understanding vaccines & our YouTube channel: Why is getting my COVID-19 vaccine important Why should I be vaccinated if I've already had COVID-19 Why have some countries made COVID-19 vaccines compulsory? Can we achieve population immunity for COVID-19 What's South Africa's COVID-19 vaccine authorization process? How do vaccines work? Why were COVID-19 vaccines developed so fast? Did COVID-19 vaccines go through all required clinical trials? How do we know the COVID-19 vaccine is safe in the long term? Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in South Africa? There is also a longer video, the panel discuss COVID-19 trends and vaccination progress To register for vaccination please go to Discovery COVID-19 Vaccination Portal & register on EVDS!!! As a Discovery member you will be able to access your digital Vaccine certificate on your Discovery app. Source: Discovery When to take a test and when will it get covered? You’re covered for 2 COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) screening tests every calendar year (1 January to 31 December), regardless of the outcome of the test. Medical Aid will pay for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, provided that the member who took the test:
Will you have to pay upfront and submit a claim for it to be paid from this benefit? This depends on the payment arrangements your medical aid have with your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider submits a claim on your behalf, your medical aid will reimburse them directly subject to meeting the clinical entry criteria of the benefit. If your doctor requires you to pay upfront, you can submit your claim to your medical aid. What does it mean if I test positive for the PCR test? A positive PCR result confirms that you are infected and that you can spread it to others. You would need to contact your doctor to discuss the implications of this finding and the next steps to take, whether this be to self-isolate at home and/or on your planned hospital admission. If I test Positive, how do I self-isolate and for how long do I self-isolate? If you are infected and are asymptomatic i.e. you show no symptoms, you must stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your positive test. In case of severe respiratory illness or severe shortness of breath you need to immediately consult with your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency unit. In case of severe disease, you will probably be hospitalised, and you would need to continue to self-isolate for 10 days after clinical stability is achieved. If I test positive for Antibody test, will I have immunity to COVID-19 infections in the future? As COVID-19 is a new virus, we cannot tell for sure how long antibodies will last or how well they can protect against future infections. Even though it is believed that a person will have some level of immunity after infection, which is the scientific principle that the development of a vaccine is based on. However, all individuals should still adhere to recommendations by the department of health on social distancing, hygiene, and personal protection, regardless of their antibody test result. How am I covered for COVID-19? This benefit, available on all plans, is covered by the scheme for cases of outbreak diseases and out of hospital healthcare services related to COVID-19. These healthcare services are covered up to maximum of 100% of your chosen medical scheme’s rate in accordance with Prescribed minimum benefits where applicable. Am I covered if I am in a waiting period? The scheme resolved to change its’ approach to underwriting for the duration of the outbreak, specifically with regards to cover for COVID-19. Members that are diagnosed with COVID-19 after joining will have access to the benefit, even if they are subject to a waiting period at the time of being diagnosed with COVID-19. Members that are diagnosed with COVID-19 before joining the scheme will not have access to the benefit and will be subject to waiting period to protect the scheme and its members against anti-selection. Emergency care – When should I call 911 or go to the emergency department? Call ER24 on 084124 if you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms. These are some of the symptoms for which you should immediately call ER24;
What if I’m afraid to go to the emergency department? We understand those fears, but emergency department staff members wear personal protective equipment, and all places are fully cleaned and disinfected. Please note, that waiting too long to seek care for some health care emergencies is a bigger risk than the chance of contracting COVID-19. How do I know I won’t get COVID-19 in the emergency department? Depending on the urgency of the patient’s medical needs, everyone entering the emergency department is immediately screened for symptoms of COVID-19. How do I know I won’t contract COVID-19 if I need to stay in the hospital for treatment?
All labour and delivery patients – How are women protected whom come in for labour and delivery? In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of all patients and staff members, testing for COVID-19 and taking precautions for each woman who is admitted to labour and delivery for delivery. The care team will follow special infection prevention procedures and wear proper personal protective equipment. Depending on the woman’s COVID-19 test results, she may be cared for in a special room and according to COVID-19 guidance for deliveries. What to expect when you go to the hospital During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have extra measures in place to prevent the spread.
Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine Acting health minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has announced a major boost to South Africa’s Covid-19 vaccination plans, with vaccines now being made available to more age groups and on weekends. Kubayi-Ngubane said that the government had also agreed to open vaccine registrations to people in the 35 – 49 age group.
All staff will be vaccinated, even if you’re not part of Discovery health, if they are part of company staff list, then they are eligible to receive vaccination. Should you be interested, please contact us and we will assist to communicate with Discovery to action Discovery Vaccination programme for employers.
Vaccination during riots and civil unrest period Please note that some of the vaccination sites that are affected are temporarily closed due to looting, riots and civil unrest. The vaccination rollout will be delayed but still encourage all clients to please use their digital form to register and make appointments. Those that missed their appointment due to recent looting will be rescheduled. If you have any other queries please contact our Health department, email service@daberistic.com, Tel 011-6581333, Option 2 for Medical Aid. Given that COVID-19 is a global pandemic, all governments are required to coordinate and manage the response to the disease in the best way they can. As is the case in other countries, the South African Government has decided that it will source, distribute and oversee the rollout of the vaccination programme, and will therefore be the sole purchaser and distributor of the COVID-19 vaccines to provincial governments and the private sector, including medical schemes.
With the roll-out of the COVID vaccine, the South African government has also had relevant regulation, and different Medical Aid companies have their own relative ways to cooperate. The vaccines provided by the government are Johnson and Johnson (one dose) and Pfizer (two doses), and the Medical Scheme must be carried out according to the Government’s progress and allocation phase. As of 16 May 2021, people over the age of 60 are allowed to register on EVDS. South Africans must register on the Department of Health (EVDs) at the following website, when their age group is open to register: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/ Discovery Health In addition to the Department of health's online registration (EVDs), Discovery has launched its own registration and tracking program. Please refer to our article about the process and registration steps: https://www.daberistic.com/discovery_covid_vaccine_english.html Momentum Health Momentum is preparing to provide vaccines in an efficient way to assist members and the public to obtain vaccines in their allocated phase, the following has been established:
Momentum will communicate exact locations of the health care centres. Bonitas Health Bonitas Health did not give any special instructions, but for members who are qualified to register on EVDS, Bonitas has sent a SMS and an e-mail directly to the members. After receiving the invitation, they can register on the website of the Department of Health, and follow the process further. |
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January 2025
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