Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 4. 2019 | Page 16

Managed Care is making a difference One of the leading health trends currently being observed worldwide is the steady increase in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancers of various kinds. Around 80% of these conditions are caused by four main lifestyle risk factors, namely: Smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity. To combat this, medical schemes are taking a proactive approach to their disease management programmes, which are aimed at helping members understand their conditions and the causes thereof, and manage their risk of contracting so-called lifestyle diseases more effectively. The Bonitas strategy goes further than this, partnering with service providers to focus on early detection, prevention and monitoring of chronic conditions. In addition, the ongoing upskilling of family practitioners and partnerships with quality service providers, are critical in delivering on our commitment to health education, awareness and quality healthcare. Approximately 187 000 members are enrolled on our chronic medicine programme and 79% of these are adhering to their chronic medicine regimens. The Bonitas diabetes programme continues to achieve success, with nearly 15 000 members on the programme. 63% of these are enrolled for telephonic coaching and 61.8% have completed an Hb1Ac test. There are around 28 000 unique registered beneficiaries with mental illnesses. 1 700 members have enrolled in the mental health programme, with 91.4% adherence to chronic medicine requirements. The DBC back and neck programme has a 91% success rate, with 3 200 members having completed the programme with improved movement and functional rehabilitation outcomes. The success of this approach speaks for itself: 97.9% of Bonitas members are now within 10km of a network family practitioner. A network of 366 renal dialysis facilities is in place and provides quality care and good clinical outcomes. We continue to promote our Managed Care initiatives in order to empower our members to take control of their illnesses and lead longer, healthier lives. page 15