Minister asks: If cars have a no claim bonus, why not people?

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa says his ministry will look into the possibility of exempting people on medical aid who will not have used their facility say for a year from contributing for another year.

He said this is response to a question from Senator Nyamayabo Mashavakure who wanted to know why medical aid societies did not share their surpluses with clients who had not used their medical aid since they were not meant to operate at a profit.

“It is an issue that we also have talked about. I remember, while I was still in private practice, I once asked medical aid societies that if someone has been contributing the whole year and has not been treated, why is that not carried over to the next year, but I did not get a clear answer.

“I think that we now have an opportunity to ensure that such issues are addressed. Even a car has a no claim bonus. So, we need to look into how this can be converted into some benefit to someone who has been contributing and has had the minimum service. I think it is something that we will be able to address,” he said.

Q & A

*SENATOR MASHAVAKURE: Thank you Mr. President. I heard the Minister talk of surplus and not profit. My question is when they are making surplus can they not share the surplus with me the client because if I had contributed US$10 and used US$2, can the remainder be pushed to the next year so that I am not found with a shortfall. So, on the issue of surplus can something be done so that the surplus is shared amongst us the clients? Thank you.

* DR. PARIRENYATWA: Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank the Senator for raising the question. It is an issue that we also have talked about. I remember, while I was still in private practice, I once asked medical aid societies that if someone has been contributing the whole year and has not been treated, why is that not carried over to the next year, but I did not get a clear answer. I think that we now have an opportunity to ensure that such issues are addressed. Even a car has a no claim bonus. So, we need to look into how this can be converted into some benefit to someone who has been contributing and has had the minimum service. I think it is something that we will be able to address.

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