Hearing aid cycle extended to 5 years
In addition, the hearing aid cycle 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 on BonComprehensive,
BonClassic and BonComplete.
Co-payments increased for spinal surgery and hip and
knee replacements
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
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. These changes will apply to
BonComprehensive, BonClassic and BonComplete.
Paramedical benefit on BonClassic will pay from
savings
Finally, the paramedical and allied professionals
out-of-hospital benefit on BonClassic will be paid
from savings in the new year.
Enhanced maternity benefits & support for
new moms
We are committed to offering our pregnant members
all the support and guidance they need, to improve
their health, and that of their babies and also reduce
the number of complications they might experience.
Currently, our maternity benefits are paid from risk
and cover:
Antenatal consultations
2D ultrasound scans
Postnatal consultations
Antenatal classes with a midwife
Amniocentesis
A baby bag
This is supported by a range of benefits
and toddlers, including newborn hearing
congenital hypothyroidism screening,
immunisations, GP and paediatric
consultations.
for babies
screening,
childhood
specialist
In 2020, we are enhancing these maternity benefits
as follows:
• One of the postnatal consultations can be used to
engage with a lactation specialist to maximise the
benefits of breast-feeding for mother and child.
• Our new moms will also be able to access vouchers for
baby products and further discounts at Baby City.
Every year around 9 000 Bonitas babies are born. While
most of these new Bonitas members are welcomed
into the world without any hitches. Around 20% of
our pregnant moms experience complications during
childbirth and many experience challenges of some kind
during their pregnancy or immediately after the birth of
their child.
We are also in the final stages of establishing a comprehensive
mother and baby support programme. This will give pregnant
moms, who are Bonitas members, access to a range of benefits
including:
24/7 pregnancy care helpline
Dedicated Bonitas care advisors
Pregnancy education SMSs and emails
Online pregnancy education
Bonitas pregnancy events with expert speakers on prenatal and
postnatal care
We envisage that the programme will launch before the end of
the first quarter of 2020.
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