Standard and Standard Select
Over the years, Standard has been Bonitas’ flagship
option, offering a bold traditional design and rich
benefits. The introduction of a network option in
Standard Select has given members the opportunity
to save approximately 15% on contributions, while still
accessing rich cover. This change contributed to 13%
of new business in 2019. This continues to be attractive
to the market.
The Standard option has also positively contributed to
the financial sustainability of the Fund. In light of this,
we have opted to increase benefits limits nominally so
that it remains competitive and sustainable.
The hearing aid cycle on Standard and Standard Select
has been adjusted in line with international protocols,
which show that the average lifespan of a hearing
aid is approximately 8 years. Hearing aids will now be
available on a 5-year cycle from the date of last claim.
There was a 41% increase in the admission rate for
spinal fusion surgery from 2018 to 2019. However,
only 6% of these cases were treated through the
DBC back and neck programme prior to surgery.
The programme currently has a 91% success rate,
where surgery can be avoided altogether in most
cases. To encourage the uptake of the programme
and improve clinical outcomes for members, the co-
payment for spinal surgery without completing the
back and neck programme will be R10 000 in 2020. As
a unique offering, Bonitas members can contact their
nearest facility to undergo an assessment without
intervention by Managed Care. The co-payment for
the use of a non-contracted provider for hip and knee
replacements will be R10 000.
BonComprehensive, BonClassic and
BonComplete
During 2019, BonComprehensive, BonClassic and
BonComplete had a combined contribution of 2% to
new business. We have opted to take a prudent cost-
management strategy here and have made minimal
changes on these options for 2020. This will ensure
members who need a higher level of cover are catered
for, while protecting the financial stability of the Fund. Furthermore, our defined focus on strategic purchasing
and provider negotiations has ensured our networks
are optimised to accommodate cost-containment. The
in-hospital rate for BonComprehensive will, therefore,
be adjusted to 150% in 2020.
Hospital reimbursement rate of 150% on the
BonComprehensive option As a further cost-saving measure, we have moved the
general appliances benefit from risk to savings, on
BonComprehensive and BonClassic.
We noted that no competitor schemes offer a specialist
reimbursement rate of 300% at a similar price point.
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General appliances moved from risk to savings on
BonComprehensive and BonClassic