Stats SA has released the results of its latest General Household Survey, revealing how South African families make use of medical aid schemes in the country.<\/p>\n
According to the report, the vast majority of people are not covered by any type of medical aid scheme,\u00a0with public facilities\u00a0still being the primary choice when it comes to healthcare.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest barriers to private healthcare in the country is the price.<\/p>\n
The South African Competition Commission recently conducted a market inquiry into medical aid schemes, focusing on the price of services and costs involved with private healthcare in the country.<\/p>\n
The inquiry was triggered by data that showed that per capita spending on services such as hospitals and medical specialists in SA increased in real terms by 40.7% and 55.7% between 2003 and 2012 – while\u00a0expenditure on all health benefits by medical schemes rose by 11.1% in 2014 to reach R124.1 billion.<\/p>\n
The cost of private healthcare is increasing significantly, with little to no oversight or regulation to keep tabs on what’s pushing the effect, the Commission found.<\/p>\n
According to the Medical Aid Council of South Africa, hospital fees account for the biggest portion of what medical aid schemes pay for, taking up to 40% of total fees paid out, with specialists and medication taking up the rest.<\/p>\n
These costs paint the backdrop for Stats SA’s findings, explaining why private healthcare is out of reach for so many.<\/p>\n
Here are other facts about medical aids and healthcare in South Africa:<\/p>\n
The shocking truth about medical aid fraud in South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n