Legislation form a great deal of Medical Aids and Medical Aid Schemes in South Africa. Visit the Crossquotes Homepage for information on Medical Aid and Schemes or go to http://www.crossquotes.co.za where you will find more information on quotes and costs etc.
Medical Schemes are controlled through the Medical Schemes act (131 of 1998) as approved by Government. The Council for Medical Schemes was established through the Medical Schemes act to provide regulatory supervision. The current amount of registered medical schemes are 97 with about 8.4 beneficiaries in South Africa.
Brief Summary Of The Contents Of The Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998)
The Medical Schemes Act contains twelve chapters with the following brief summary of the contents:
Chapter 1 - DEFINITIONS: This chapter consist of certain definitions in order to clarify the contents of the document.
Chapter 2 - APPLICATION OF THE ACT: How to deal with conflicts with other legislation and to whom this act does not apply to.
Chapter 3 - COUNCIL FOR MEDICAL SCHEMES: This chapter is divided in seventeen sections summarized as follows: (1) Establishment of the Council for Medical Schemes: The declaration of the establishment of the Council for Medical Schemes. (2) Constitution of Council: This section deals with the structure and the appointment of the council's members. (3) Disqualification as member of the Council, and vacation of office: Deals with restrictions on appointments and disqualification as member of Council. (4) Term of office of member of Council: How long a member may serve and whether a member may be re-appointed. (5) Functions of Council. (6) Powers of Council. (7) Committees of Council: Deals with appointment of committee members and delegation powers. (8) Meetings of Council: Deals with the nature and intervals of meetings of Council. (9) Remuneration of members of Council and Committees. (10) Funds of Council. (11) Accounting officer. (12) Annual report. (13) Consultation between Minister and Council. (14) Cases of improper or disgraceful conduct. (15) Liquidation. (16) Appointment of Registrar and Deputy Registrar of Medical Schemes. (17) Staff of Council.
Chapter 4 - MEDICAL SCHEMES: This chapter is divided in nine sections summarized as follows: (1) Business of medical scheme: Deals with issues regarding registration of medical schemes. (2) Use of designation "medical scheme": Deals with marketing issues. (3) Application for registration. (4) Name of medical scheme and change of name. (5) Registration of medical scheme: Deals with the conditions for registration. (6) Notification of registration. (7) Effect of registration. (8) Cancellation and suspension of registration. (9) Prohibiting of membership of, and claims against, more than one medical scheme.
Chapter 5 - RULES OF MEDICAL SCHEMES: This chapter is divided in four sections as follows: (1) Matters to which rules shall apply. (2) General provisions to be contained in rules. (3) Amendment of rules. (4) Binding force of rules.
Chapter 6 - BENEFIT OPTIONS: This chapter is divided in two sections as follows: (1) Approval and withdrawal of benefit options. (2) Prohibition on cession and attachment of benefits.
Chapter 7 - FINANCIAL MATTERS: This chapter is divided in four sections as follows: (1) Financial arrangements. (2) Auditor and audit committee. (3) Annual financial statement. (4) Registrar may reject returns.
Chapter 8 - DOCUMENTS: This chapter is divided in three sections as follows: (1) Requirements in regard to documents to be deposited with Registrar. (2) Effect of Registrar's certificates on documents. (3) Right to obtain copies of, or to inspect certain documents.
Chapter 9 - POWERS OF REGISTRAR
Chapter 10 - COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS
Chapter 11 - JUDICIAL MATTERS
Chapter 12 - GENERAL.