PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGER PUBLIC SECTOR THE MAGAZINE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS PSM Public SectorManager • THE MAGAZINE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS THE MAGAZINE Minister S'bu Ndebele changing the transport landscape Land reform starts with office reform Lifestyle Advocate · What women drivers want Sandile · Travel Nogxina: · Nice-to-haves serving the nation Why since the dawn of South Africa democracy should invest in clean energy Farewell to the longest - serving DG • OCTOBER 2011 OCTOBER ISSN 2221-6723 PSM Forum 9 772221 672007 R29.95 (VAT INCL) SOUTH AFRICA PSM October 2011 Good medical cover: An invaluable lifeline in times of need. Nobody enjoys paying for it, but can we really do without it? Medical cover is one of those things that nobody set of benefits that are right for you and your family,” notes So you think you don’t need enjoys paying for especially when they are well. Roux. “This will ensure that you get the best possible value We would all rather spend the money on a gift from your medical scheme.” for the family or put it towards a holiday. Just how necessary is it to have medical scheme The first consideration for most people is affordability and a medical scheme? no one should be purchasing benefits that they are not able benefits? Could we do without them or are they to afford. However, you need to keep in mind that you get a necessity? more comprehensive cover on the more expensive options. Mr Steve Roux, a Trustee at the Government Employees “You should also consider the make up, age and health Medical Scheme (GEMS), says that for many people status of your family when choosing an option,” says medical scheme benefits are a “grudge purchase”. He Roux. “So, for example, if you are a single healthy young points out that while this outlook is understandable, it individual you may want a plan that is more affordable but is also important for people to appreciate that medical offers good solid benefits. On the other hand, a family with scheme benefits are a form of insurance when it comes to young children who might have greater medical needs may your health, and there is little that is more important than wish to choose a more comprehensive cover. One has to good health. Healthcare cover is therefore potentially one balance affordability with one’s healthcare needs.” of the most important purchases you will ever make in your life. “One of the things that is so appealing about a scheme such as GEMS, which is designed specifically for public “The reality is that the cost of healthcare continues to service employees, is that it takes the members’ healthcare rise sharply in SA and those who are not covered by a rand so much further. We don’t offer the extras, such as medical scheme may struggle to afford medical care if loyalty clubs, which are so common at other schemes something goes wrong with their health,” suggests Roux. today and ultimately contribute to making benefits more “Unfortunately people do have accidents and get ill, even expensive. We stick to the basics of healthcare funding healthy young individuals. Without doubt, everyone needs using our substantial size to leverage good rates with some form of medical cover to protect them in such an healthcare service providers such as doctors and dentists.” eventuality.” “We furthermore ensure that the Scheme is soundly run Think again, in fact Roux points out that it costs about R340 just to see a by adhering to strict corporate governance principles and Did you know… think GEMS - the doctor and get medicine for flu. A private hospital stay maintaining a balanced Board that has both Scheme and costs R4 300 per day and a day in intensive care about member-elected Trustees. As a result, all five of our benefit • It can cost R348 to see your • It can cost a salary level 5 medical scheme R8 186. Having a baby is also expensive and can cost options offer outstanding value and public servants need doctor and get medicine for flu? employee R1 500 for a day’s stay anywhere between R17 000 and R26 000. “It is no look no further than GEMS for healthcare cover.” exaggeration to say that getting sick or needing medical • It costs R4 300 for a single day in in a public hospital? that is always a treatment over any length of time can involve catastrophic According to Roux the five benefit options on offer from a private hospital? • A day in intensive care will cost step ahead. or potentially crippling costs,” observes Roux. you R8 186? GEMS offer something for every public service employee, • It can cost anywhere between from those who wish to have more basic cover to those R17 000 and R26 000 just to “So often people complain that they are not getting seeking more comprehensive options. “We cover day-to- have a baby? full value from their medical scheme. While value is day as well as in-hospital expenses,” he notes. “Members understandably important, and something that a good of GEMS can therefore have complete peace of mind that Now you know why you need a good medical scheme that will stand by you in times of need. medical scheme should certainly ensure where possible, their every healthcare needs will be taken care of.” it is also a mistake for scheme members to feel that they should be getting everything out of their scheme that they Think GEMS... Want to join GEMS? “Medical schemes can offer an invaluable lifeline in times possibly can. A medical scheme such as GEMS is owned of need,” concludes Roux. “Without doubt everyone needs Do you work for the public service? Ever wondered if Want to join South Africa’s Africa’s fastest growing and funded by members themselves. Those who use their a good, reliable medical scheme – not only in the event of there is a medical scheme that can offer you real and medical scheme? benefits prudently, effectively protect their scheme assets a ‘rainy day’ but also to ensure on-going good health and as well as those of fellow members.” lasting value? Call 0860 00 4367, visit www.gems.gov.za longevity for those that are near and dear.” More than 1.6 million public service employees have or simply email [email protected] for for “If you consider just how important medical cover is, you put their trust in GEMS, now how about you? more info. can see just how necessary it is to choose a scheme and a Call 0860 00 4367 or send an email to: [email protected] www.gems.gov.za Bringing health within your reach Good medical cover: An invaluable lifeline in times of need. Nobody enjoys paying for it, but can we really do without it? Medical cover is one of those things that nobody set of benefits that are right for you and your family,” notes So you think you don’t need enjoys paying for especially when they are well. Roux. “This will ensure that you get the best possible value We would all rather spend the money on a gift from your medical scheme.” for the family or put it towards a holiday. Just how necessary is it to have medical scheme The first consideration for most people is affordability and a medical scheme? no one should be purchasing benefits that they are not able benefits? Could we do without them or are they to afford. However, you need to keep in mind that you get a necessity? more comprehensive cover on the more expensive options. Mr Steve Roux, a Trustee at the Government Employees “You should also consider the make up, age and health Medical Scheme (GEMS), says that for many people status of your family when choosing an option,” says medical scheme benefits are a “grudge purchase”. He Roux. “So, for example, if you are a single healthy young points out that while this outlook is understandable, it individual you may want a plan that is more affordable but is also important for people to appreciate that medical offers good solid benefits. On the other hand, a family with scheme benefits are a form of insurance when it comes to young children who might have greater medical needs may your health, and there is little that is more important than wish to choose a more comprehensive cover. One has to good health. Healthcare cover is therefore potentially one balance affordability with one’s healthcare needs.” of the most important purchases you will ever make in your life. “One of the things that is so appealing about a scheme such as GEMS, which is designed specifically for public “The reality is that the cost of healthcare continues to service employees, is that it takes the members’ healthcare rise sharply in SA and those who are not covered by a rand so much further. We don’t offer the extras, such as medical scheme may struggle to afford medical care if loyalty clubs, which are so common at other schemes something goes wrong with their health,” suggests Roux. today and ultimately contribute to making benefits more “Unfortunately people do have accidents and get ill, even expensive. We stick to the basics of healthcare funding healthy young individuals. Without doubt, everyone needs using our substantial size to leverage good rates with some form of medical cover to protect them in such an healthcare service providers such as doctors and dentists.” eventuality.” “We furthermore ensure that the Scheme is soundly run Think again, in fact Roux points out that it costs about R340 just to see a by adhering to strict corporate governance principles and Did you know… think GEMS - the doctor and get medicine for flu.