Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 3. 2019 | Page 12

How to get your chronic medicine Chronic medicine is used on an ongoing basis to treat chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and hypothyroidism. You will need to apply for authorisation for your chronic medicine with Bonitas. A 40% co-payment applies if you choose to use medicine that is not listed on the applicable formulary or if you do not use a Designated Service Provider where required. How do I apply for chronic medicine? Get a prescription from your doctor. 2 What happens if my application is declined? 1 Log in to www.bonitas.co.za and apply online or call us on 0860 002 108 or email [email protected] or ask your doctor or pharmacist to call us on 0861 100 220 and apply on your behalf. Once your application has been assessed, you will receive a medicine access card listing the chronic authorisations to be paid from your chronic medicine benefit. 3 If your application is declined, you may need to: • Send us a motivation from your GP • Send us additional test results • Consider using different medicine How do I update my medicine? When you apply for chronic medicine, you are approved for treatment of your condition and not a specific medicine. When you need to change or add a medicine for your condition, you can do this at your pharmacy or Pharmacy Direct with your new prescription without contacting us. All prescriptions are only valid for 6 months. Please send your pharmacy or Pharmacy Direct an updated prescription every 6 months so that you continue receiving your medicine. Consider generics to make your benefits stretch further Need some help? Call: 0860 002 108 Email: [email protected] Page 11 A generic drug is a pharmaceutical equivalent to a brand-name product in dosage, strength, use, quality and performance. Generics are usually cheaper than originals but work just as well, helping you get more value for money as they attract no or minimal co-payments.