Press Releases
Catch up on the latest Profmed news! See what your scheme has to say about industry-related matters.
Judge a medicine by its label
10 February 2012Whether you have been prescribed a medication by your doctor, or are simply comparing brands or vitamins that you are buying off the shelf, an understanding of pharmaceutical labeling will go a long way to making you an informed consumer.
A sense of sleep
10 February 2012Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself. But for many who live a modern lifestyle, sleep can be one of the most difficult things to come by. Fortunately, with a bit of effort and discipline, most sleep woes can be relieved.
By Graham Anderson, principal officer of Profmed.
Salt rationing to be taken with a pinch of salt
10 February 2012New research is showing that while salt isn’t the best substance for sufferers of high blood pressure, for everyone else, it’s not the terrible toxin it was once thought to be. In fact, limiting your salt intake may be detrimental to your health.
Avoiding lifestyle diseases
10 February 2012By Graham Anderson, principal officer of Profmed.
It is possible to significantly reduce the risk of contracting a number of diseases by changing the way we live our lives. So make 2012 your year of good health.
Holiday Injuries
01 December 2011Pack up your troubles in a first aid kit
Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit to deal with any minor injuries that could befall your family this holiday season.
By Graham Anderson, principal officer of Profmed.
The holiday season is filled with fun, laughter and adventures.
Profmed has low increase, enhanced benefits for 2012
October 2011In 2012, Profmed members will enjoy extremely low increases in contributions on all options, while at the same time experiencing increases in benefits.
For existing members of Profmed, the medical scheme for graduate professionals, the contribution increase in 2012 will be only 6.8% (averaged across all options).
Osteoporosis - what you need to know
October 2011Osteoporosis - what you need to know
Although osteoporosis is a disease that generally affects older people, it's what you do when you are young that will help you to prevent it.
By Graham Anderson, the principal officer of Profmed
Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that leads to the increased risk of breaks or fractures.
PMBs could sink private healthcare
September 2011The High Court application being heard this week could see medical schemes compelled to pay whatever price healthcare providers set for prescribed minimum benefits, which has the potential to impact on the entire healthcare industry.
Make time for your teeth
September 2011Dental care is one of the most often neglected aspects of healthcare, simply because people don''t like to go to the dentist and because looking after their teeth just never seems like a medical emergency. September is National Oral Health Month, so make an effort to maintain your good dental health - it's worth it.
You care for eyecare
September 2011Your eyes are windows to the world, but many of us aren't blessed with 20/20 vision. Even so, you can take your blinkers off when it comes to eye care, especially during September, Eyecare Awareness Month.
By Graham Anderson, the principal officer of Profmed.
Immunisation:Keeping them safe
August 2011National Immunisation Awareness Week takes place over 1-7 August. Immunisation is an increasingly controversial topic, but the truth is that there is a far greater risk associated with not immunising your child.
By Graham Anderson, the principal officer of Profmed.
Mental health: keeping your grey matter in the pink
July 2011July is Mental Illness Awareness Month. We have a fairly good idea of what we should be doing to look after our physical health, but when it comes to mental wellbeing, many of us have no idea where to begin. The good news is that some of the things that you need to do to assist healthy brain function are the same things that will keep you physically fit and healthy.
Confronting drug addiction
June 2011Drug abuse and addiction is an ongoing problem among teenagers and adults around the world. The United Nations has declared 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and acknowledges that the world drug problem continues to constitute a serious threat to public health,
Donating blood: helps others and good for you
June 2011June is Blood Donor month in South Africa, and Profmed medical scheme urges people to take part and save lives.
On 14 June, it was World Blood Donor day, but in South Africa, the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) have declared the entire month of June Blood Donor month, supported by various drives around the country, because the need for blood is so great.
Everything ship-shape at Profmed
June 2011The Profmed Integrated Report 2010 shows healthy growth in membership and reserves at the medical scheme for graduate professionals.
Profmed, the largest restricted medical scheme in South Africa for graduate professionals, released its Integrated Report 2010 in May this year, one of the first of its kind in the medical scheme industry.
Quit smoking and breathe easy about your health
31 May 201131 May is World No-Tobacco Day. Although most smokers have tried to give up at some point, smoking is a particularly tricky habit to quit. Heres why you really should, and how.
By Graham Anderson, principal officer of Profmed
Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you.
Tuberculosis not just a poor man's disease
March 2011South Africa is ranked fifth out of 22 high burden countries that account for 80% of all new cases of tuberculosis that arise globally each year. This, combined with the fact that the TB vaccine is only 80% effective, means that South Africans should be aware of the risks and symptoms of the disease.
Profmed's Graham Anderson to serve on NHI task team
March 2011Graham Anderson, principal officer of Profmed, has been appointed to the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) task team that will address the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) on behalf of the industry.
Profmed covers the cervical cancer vaccine
February 2011Profmed, the medical scheme for graduate professionals, has taken the view that prevention is better than cure, and covers the cervical cancer vaccine for women out of their day-to-day benefits.
According to The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), one woman out of every 31 is diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 3 400 women die of cervical cancer every year in South Africa.
Men over 40 make your health your top priority
November 2010By Graham Anderson, the Principal Officer of Profmed
Maintaining the human body is like driving a car. The more it is used, the more attention it needs to keep it in good running order. Men over the age of 40 should start taking care of their health with routine tests to screen for diseases that are manageable if they are caught early.
Take the pain out of holiday hospitalisation
November 2010By Graham Anderson, Profmeds Principal Officer
If you have a medical aid, it means that you are already making sure that you are covered in case of an emergency. When you go on holiday, its worth making sure that your medical aid will work for you if something out of the ordinary happens.
Picking the right medical scheme for you
October 2010By Graham Anderson, Profmeds Principal Officer
Theres no question that South Africans need medical cover. In the unexpected and calamitous event of contracting a dread disease or requiring a hospital stay, nobody needs financial stress to add to the burden and even staying healthy from year to year can be expensive.
Profmed to offer better benefits, excellent service in 2011
October 2010The Profmed Roadshow detailed to brokers increases in benefits and rates, excellent service performance and the medical schemes concerns about the NHI.
In October Profmed, the medical scheme for graduate professionals, took a roadshow to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg to launch the new 2011 benefits to its brokers.
Profmed covers cervical cancer vaccine
October 2010Profmed has taken the view that prevention is better than cure, and is now covering the cervical cancer vaccine out of its members day-to-day benefits.
Profmed, the medical scheme for graduate professionals, is now offering the cervical cancer vaccine for women as a part of its day-to-day benefits.
Profmeds pricing remains sound despite the scrapping of the High Court ruling about RPL
October 2010A recent High Court ruling has declared the Reference Price List used by medical schemes to set their tariffs as invalid. This has widespread implications for the medical scheme industry, but Profmed has worded its rules in such a way that the medical scheme is not impacted by the ruling.
The real risks that medical schemes face
October 2010Navigating the landscape of administering a medical scheme in South Africa can be a complicated exercise. In an industry caught between the rock and the hard place of expensive medical costs and the lack of state-funded healthcare, various social, medical and legislative issues confront us.
Profmeds report card shows an A+
October 2010Profmed has maintained an A+ rating for their claims paying ability in the 2009 financial year, according to the Global Credit Rating Co.
Profmed is the largest restricted medical scheme in South Africa exclusively for graduate professionals. The A+ rating that the scheme received remains the same as the previous years, which is noteworthy in the current economic climate.
Women, take care of your health
October 2010By Beverley Carrozzo, the Scheme Manager of Profmed.
One of the most important assets a woman has is her health, and by safeguarding her wellbeing, she can continue to make a contribution to her work, her family and her self for many years to come.
Health policymakers playing with statistics
March 2010Graham Anderson, Principal Officer of Profmed Medical Scheme has called on policymakers to be consistent in the way that spending on health, education and security in South Africa is presented.
He said that public funding for the health sector was equivalent to 4.2% of gross domestic product and 14% of the main National Treasury budget.
Profmed Medical Scheme response to Budget and State of the Nation address
February 2010In his 2010 budget speech, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan gave no details on the planned introduction of National Health Insurance. This mirrored President Zumas remarks in the State of the Nation address last week, when he said that preparations for the establishment of the national health insurance system will be continued.
Managing the cost of pharmaceuticals
December 2009The 13.2% increase in the Single Exit Price of medicines awarded by the Minister of Health on December 24th 2008, caused a knock on effect of between 8 and 10 percent on the price of private healthcare between January and October 2009, according to Mathew Dijkstra, Clinical Operations Director of Medikredit.
Profmed response to change in Department of Health priorities
November 2009Concerns about the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) being introduced too hastily have been calmed in the last few days by comments from both the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health.
Until recently the ANC said it aimed to introduce the supporting legislation for NHI by April.
Profmeds 2010 contribution increase and benefits approved
November 2009Both the increase and the benefits of the different options offered by Profmed for 2010 have been approved by the Registrar of the Council for Medical Schemes.
In previous years we made a decision to reduce our solvency ratio, as it was in excess of the statutory requirement of 25%.
Taking responsibility for your health
October 2009Most healthcare professionals praise the benefits of screening tests. The earlier you pick up, diagnose and treat certain cancers, they say, the better the outcome, both in health terms and financial terms.
Too few doctors to implement National Health Insurance proposals
June 2009Ongoing doctors strikes have highlighted the poor salaries, long hours, unsafe and under resourced working environments, says Profmed's Principal Officer Graham Anderson.
Current vacancy levels do not take into account the fact that we have too few doctors posts to implement the National Health Insurance plan, which is part of the ANC election manifesto, he said.
Profmed performing well on all fronts
June 2009Speaking after the release of the Profmed 2008 Annual Report earlier this month, Principal Officer Graham Anderson, said that he was pleased with the performance of the medical scheme during the period under review on a number of strategic fronts.
Our doctors and nurses are a national resource
May 2009"The recent doctor's strike has highlighted the poor salaries, long hours, unsafe and under resourced working environments," says Profmed's Principal Officer Graham Anderson.
"When will the Department of Health realise that decent salaries and working conditions for doctors, specialists and nurses are the central cog in both the private and public health sectors?" he asked.
Designed to thrive into the next decade
March 2009The largest restricted medical scheme exclusively for professionals in the country continues to grow and thrive in an environment that is becoming increasingly difficult for medical schemes.
Will legislation bring about the death of the good doctor?
26 September 2008Profmed is in the unique position where many members of the medical profession are both providers and members of the scheme. The scheme is therefore sympathetic to doctors" need to earn a living commensurate with their training and expertise, as well as their members, who require value for money healthcare.
Medical scheme benefit design: juggling balls in the air
26 September 2008Everybody wants the same from a medical scheme, low costs, easy to understand benefits (preferably unlimited), no co-payments and instant reimbursement.
In addition, the government has imposed further requirements. Medical schemes are not allowed to discriminate against the old and the sick, and a list of prescribed benefits have to be covered in full with no co-payments.
The importance of good trustees
26 September 2008"It is essential that medical schemes have strong independent trustees and executive management who can safeguard the interests of medical scheme members. Joining our scheme to get the benefit of well qualified trustees is a good reason to become a member of Profmed," says Principal Officer and Chief Executive, Graham Anderson.
Willing and able trustees of medical schemes are a scarce resource
05 August 2008"There are many contentious aspects about the latest version of the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill," says Profmed's Graham Anderson, "but one of the most glaring issues is a new clause which limits periods of trustee service to a maximum of six years."
Profmed is a restricted medical scheme open to professionals with a minimum of a four year degree.
Market forces should prevail: Profmed
24 June 2008"We believe that market forces should be left to regulate medical schemes in South Africa", says Graham Anderson, Principal Officer of Profmed.
He was commenting on the proposed amendments to the National Health Act, which propose that prices of medical services should be negotiated through a tribunal, and ultimately the Minister of Health.
Please, Minister of Health, check your statistics: Profmed
29 April 2008"It is a concern to us that changes to public health policy might be made using statistics that do not reflect the current healthcare spend in South Africa," said Graham Anderson, Principal Officer of Profmed.
Never ask a barber if you need a haircut: Profmed
07 March 2008It is essential that medical schemes have strong independent trustees and executive employees who can safeguard the interests of medical scheme members, said Profmed Principal Officer Graham Anderson.
