Medshield challenges the SA broker

Medshield challenges the South African broker to check out its product range and compare Medshield’s benefits and rates with any other medical aid. Brokers are faced with huge choice when it comes to deciding which medical schemes to sell to their clients. There are also no set guidelines as to how they should go about making these choices so brokers could sometimes get it wrong. A mistake of this magnitude could spell the end for any small broker. In order to avoid this, where does he start? A medical scheme’s reputation within the industry will more than likely be an influencer, but this is by no means the only yardstick. Brokers need to be able to advise clients on medical schemes that effectively meet their needs head on, on a cost and product basis. Medshield understands the weight of this responsibility and also the importance for a broker to uphold his credibility, without which he would be rendered useless. Peter Moyanga, Medshield’s Chairman, comments, “We understand that it’s not only our clients that sustain us. As South Africa’s fifth largest medical aid, our brokers are also our bread and butter. Moyanga continues, “The responsibility lies with us to ensure brokers can offer the highest quality product at the best price to their clients and we take this responsibility very seriously.” With a solvency ratio of 53% in December 2005, a minimal rate increase of 1.3% from 2005 to 2006 and five traditional options that have South Africa’s diverse population covered, Medshield is a force to be reckoned with. “We’ve worked hard to get to the bottom of what consumers need from their medical aid and we are truly confident in our product offering,” says Moyanga. “Maintaining good health, for example in the form of regular visits to the dentist, is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Once we recognised that this is an area where some schemes can fall short, we offered unlimited basic dentistry across all options.” South Africa’s healthcare industry and the range of practitioners and medical insurance workers within its realms have had their fair share of tough times over the last few months. Increased industry regulation and pricing debates are just two of the issues under the microscope. Customer satisfaction is therefore now, more then ever, a reassuring indication that the broker is getting it right. Medshield considers customer satisfaction with equally high regard. That is why Medshield is urging brokers to compare what this scheme has to offer with any other scheme. It’s a challenge but one with everyone’s best interests at heart. Contact Details Name : Elizabeth Senger Company : Medshield Phone :021 425 7111 Email : elizabeth@trafficonline.co.za URL : www.medshield.co.za Note to the Editor About Medshield: Medshield is South Africa’s fifth largest medical aid scheme. At present, Medshield has over 70, 000 principal members, with a total of approximately 180, 000 lives covered by the scheme. As of the end of December 2005, Medshield had a solvency level of 54.8%.