BHF360° | DECEMBER 2020
HE ALTH CITIZE N FIRS T
A helping hand during difficult times Bestmed’s assistive role T he promise to deliver healthcare that is ‘Personally Yours’ has never been as significant as in this, Bestmed’s 56th year of existence, during which it was faced with a health pandemic. Bestmed remained committed to ensuring that it responds to the needs of not only its beneficiaries, but their service providers, employees and underprivileged members of the community The scheme is proud to have won the sixth annual BHF Titanium award for Excellence in Creating Access to
Healthcare (Organisations). The initiatives aimed to address stakeholders’ needs were the basis of Bestmed’s entry.
being overspent, without compromising the preventative care benefits and maternity care programme offered across all options.
PAYMENT ALTERNATIVES
Bestmed also offered individual qualifying principal members the option to pay premiums from their savings. The scheme made this payment option available until 31 December 2020.
As an essential service provider, Bestmed was able to offer payment relief alternatives aligned with the Council for Medical Schemes’ directives and approvals. Principal members could opt to downgrade to a more affordable option, subject to their savings accounts not
WELLBEING OF HEARTBEATS (WFH) INITIATIVE Bestmed partnered with Afriforte to conduct a survey to assess the wellbeing of Bestmed’s employees during lockdown as part of the WFH initiative run by Bestmed’s talent team (human resources). The initiative’s purpose is to understand employees’ experiences, and address fears and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Departmental debriefing sessions focused on promoting hope and normalising fears through best- and worst-case scenarios. Bestmed also collaborated with ICAS to debrief individuals with high stress levels. Employees are also encouraged to reach out to their team members, managers and the talent team, or to contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group for emotional support.
18
B O A R D O F H E A LT H C A R E F U N D E R S
Pensioners, whose premiums are paid from the South African Social Security Agency’s pension grants, could request that their debit order be deducted on the 7th instead of the 1st of the month.
COVID-19 BENEFITS Bestmed ensured that beneficiaries are covered for in- and out-of-hospital COVID-19-related costs. Regardless of their benefit option, beneficiaries are reimbursed for COVID-19 diagnostic tests according to strict criteria and requirements. The scheme also covers telephonic and video consultations with healthcare providers during lockdown in accordance with benefit provision as per beneficiaries’ selected options, or from scheme risk as a prescribed minimum benefit.
