A survey by OMAC Actuaries & Consultants Healthcare revealed that nearly half of the medical scheme members never read the handout that their schemes provided consult brokers and had limited knowledge of their benefits.

The act of Scheme members being unaware of what they pay for entails they stand the chance of having excess or extremely small to address their needs. This issue is said to be a challenge for the schemes, as a substantial amount of money, is invested in magazines, brochures and websites.

OMAC’s head of healthcare consulting, Margaret Hulme, said; “Maybe they don’t realize how important it is and medical schemes needed to find better ways to communicate with their members, as face-to-face encounters were best”.

Also, the Schemes is urged to consider getting the assistance of doctors in their networks to enhance understanding regarding the benefits entitled to patients, as most of them are still unaware of basic packages though "prescribed minimum benefits" is written boldly in the Medical Schemes Act.

The survey involved 1002 interviews with scheme members, who are part of their household’s healthcare decision-making, it was discovered that the schemes’ intention to save money through the networks of approved doctors and pharmacies that charged ‘a set rate’ had an adverse effect on perceptions.

Moreover, members, especially older ones, went more for a choice of service providers, even if it meant paying increased monthly contributions.