future contribution increases . This includes the 30 % co-payment which was introduced at 14 specific Life Healthcare hospitals on several options . Life Healthcare has since waived the co-payment and it no longer applies .
B-Living : our all new Member Magazine
Over the past few months , we ’ ve seen various changes at Bonitas . One of our key successes was the amalgamation with LMS , which welcomed several new members into our fold . We also introduced the Babyline benefit on all options and three new plans , BonComplete , Hospital Plus and Hospital Standard to our product offering . In terms of leadership , we parted ways with Dr Bobby Ramasia in December 2016 , after his contract expired . While these changes signal the dawning of a new era and growth and development for Bonitas , one thing remains consistent : our commitment to providing you with affordable , quality healthcare .
As you may be aware , the past few years have been challenging for the medical aid industry . In 2015 and 2016 , we experienced an increase in medical claims which were much higher than previous years . As a result , we implemented various initiatives to assist in managing future claims costs without impacting on the level of benefits that our members currently access . The initiatives have been instrumental in taking Bonitas from a loss to a marginal surplus .
With hospitalisation accounting for almost half of our claims expenditure , negotiations with all hospital groups is our key focus area . The negotiation process includes agreeing on the tariffs charged for all hospital services used by our members , as well as assessing the quality of service the hospitals offer . We used our increased size to our advantage and were able to negotiate more favourable hospital tariffs for the 2017 benefit year and beyond . This is expected to save the Scheme R580 million over the next three years which will directly impact on
As you have no doubt noticed , our Member Magazine will now be known as B-Living . Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Bronwin Page , who came up with the winning name . In addition to the new name , we have refreshed the design of the magazine and included a range of tips and information to keep you and your loved ones on the path to good health .
Our feature article on allergies on page 24 helps address some of the causes and concerns associated with intolerances and allergies , which have increased in prevalence over the last decade . We share tips on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of allergies and tips to handle them effectively . As part of our commitment to providing you and your loved ones with quality healthcare , we ’ ve included some insight on how our childcare benefits can help you maintain the good health of your children on page 8 . This includes information on good nutrition and wellness too .
One of key aims is to help give our members more value for money and stretch their benefits as far as possible . An effective and simple way to do this is to opt for generic medication , which is cheaper than original medication , but works in the same way . On page 15 , we compare these two types of medicine to help you make informed choices , when it comes to managing your healthcare .
As the official sponsor of the Comrades Marathon , we ’ re in full support of members leading happier and healthier lifestyles . This iconic South African race is one of the most anticipate events on the athletics calendar , and celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things . See all the action from last year ’ s race , learn more about the Bonitas Comrades Seminars and get top tips on hydration , nutrition and pacing on page 19 . There ’ s also an opportunity for you to win a pair of running shoes from New Balance , so be sure to enter the competition on page 23 .
Engaging with our members is integral to our success . We will continue to look at ways to enhance our offerings and improve our service to you , our valued members .
Gerhard van Emmenis
Acting Principal Officer
Page 3 B-Living Issue 1 , 2017