Right click "save as" to download a pdf version of the newsletter |
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FEBRUARY HEALTH CALENDAR
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Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month
Reproductive Health Month |
| 4 |
World Cancer Day |
| 7-14 |
STI/Condom Week |
| 7-14 |
Pregnancy Awareness Week |
| 19 |
Healthy Lifestyles Awareness Day |
WHAT TO WRITE? WHAT TO WRITE?
You tell us... |
Got some great topic ideas?
Well, don't be afraid to drop us a mail and tell us what you'd like us to cover in terms of articles and features - housecall@ thecheesehasmoved.com ♦
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Control at your fingertips
Make use of our online facilities |
Keep track of your membership and get an in-depth view of your claims history at www.fedhealth.co.za
Register today with your name and membership number and have more control and peace of mind. You will also be able to find out more about our benefits and options. ♦ |
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Chairman's new year message
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Johann van Vuuren
With the announcement of South Africa as the venue for the Soccer World Cup a few years back, the year 2010 suddenly became the most important focal point in the collective South African mind. The reality of hosting the World Cup created expectations at a level rarely experienced in our country. These expectations were not confined to the actual event, but also extended to longer term benefits flowing from a sustained increase in tourism, investment in infrastructure and capital projects and increased foreign investment in our country. Now we finally find ourselves in 2010 with the World Cup just a few months away and we trust that all realistic expectations will be fulfilled.
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Reflecting back on 2009 is, however, a completely different story. The financial crisis that started in the US engulfed the whole world and inescapably impacted negatively on the South African economy. With rising prices and job losses, 2009 was a very difficult year for most of us.
Also in 2009, National Health Insurance (NHI) was announced with the understanding that it would be implemented within a year, be compulsory for all South Africans and will be financed through an employee salary tax. This caused confusion in the public's minds and fear that the health system in South Africa would collapse. It is clear that the Public Health System is currently incapable of accommodating such a system, and that the country cannot afford the monetary burden of an NHI as envisaged by the ANC task team. All supported the broad principle of universal access, but it was felt that consultation, proper planning and the phasing in of NHI was needed to make it work. After the general election, a new Minister of Health was appointed and a new process of consultation with all role players in the industry was announced.
These factors, unfortunately, impacted very negatively on private health care in general and Fedhealth in particular. Most medical schemes experienced very high claiming patterns in 2009, which could not be attributed only to inflation and the normal aging of the medical aid membership. Fear of retrenchment and the uncertainty surrounding the NHI must be major factors contributing to the unnaturally high claims.
In order to maintain real benefits and ensure the future viability of the Scheme the increases announced for 2010 were substantially higher than the previous year. I can, however, assure our members that the Board of Trustees looked at these increases very carefully, weighed up all possibilities and got expert opinion, before determining the fees for 2010. The Board is convinced that in spite of these increases Fedhealth still offers excellent value for money and real benefits. With reference to benefits the Board also decided to lower the in-hospital payment levels from 300% of NHRPL to 200% on certain of the options, as we felt that these options were being exploited with regard to the rich and unlimited hospital benefits. In order not to penalise our existing members unduly the payment level for hospitalisation for accidents and natural deliveries remains at 300% of NHRPL.
The Fund remains financially sound with healthy reserves and stable investment returns. For a number of years we have maintained our high rating from Global Credit Ratings. Fedhealth was also one of only a few schemes that experienced membership growth during 2009 and we ended November with 87 467 members, nearly 3 000 up at the same time in 2008. Our marketing strategy remains to grow our membership in 2010 and to replace those government employees that opt to migrate to GEMS with private members. We are, however, thankful that a large number of potential GEMS members still regard Fedhealth as their scheme of choice.
In conclusion, I express the Board's appreciation for your support and wish all our members, beneficiaries and their loved ones a Happy, Safe and Healthy 2010.
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FEDHEALTH SERVICE
SIMPLY ROCKS! Thinkmoney survey proves that Fedhealth rates top in service |
For two and a half years, subscribers to ThinkMoney.co.za have been recording their views on medical aid schemes. These consumers have rated Fedhealth as having the best overall service says ThinkMoney.co.za, an independent financial comparison website, surveying financial products including personal banking products, loans, insurance and medical aid.
In a media release it stated that in the medical aid survey section Fedhealth came out best, "scoring a healthy 3.99 out of 5 for service". This score was a combination of the best service, best payouts process and best level of cover for your money. It added that this outcome was "particularly relevant" at a time when most consumers are making decisions about whether to switch medical aid plans in 2010.
Fedhealth also scored the lowest amount of complaints compared to the rest of the schemes, "reinforcing the fact that the subscribers rate Fedhealth very highly". Moreover, "76% of those currently with Fedhealth would recommend it to friends and family".
Bonitas came in second with an overall rating of 3.68, followed by Medihelp (3.65), Telemed (3.62), Medshield (3.58), Liberty (3.48) and Discovery (3.35).♦
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FED-INFO STRAIGHT
TO YOUR PHONE |
Interactive sms now gives you all the information you need.
For your convenience, you can now sms the word "benefit" to 31370 and receive an sms detailing your available day-to-day benefit. Depending on your option, the sms will show how much OHEB you have plus the amount of savings available. The savings amount is the total of your annual upfront savings plus any amount carried over from the previous year.
SMS charged at R1.00. ♦ |
| CAPE TOWN MEMBER WALK-IN CENTRE |
Please note that although the Medscheme offices in Cape Town have moved to Woodstock, the member walk-in centre is still situated at the following address:
Atterbury House,
9 Riebeeck Street
15th Floor,
Cape Town, 8000
Tel: 021 466 1450 ♦
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| Points of contact |
If any of your contact details change, please notify us immediately by contacting the Fedhealth Customer Call Centre on 0860 002 153.
Alternatively, your new details can be faxed to
011 671 3647 or e-mailed to update@fedhealth.co.za ♦ |
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DSP FOOTPRINT EXPANDS!
In May 2009, Fedhealth introduced a private Designated Service Provider (DSP) for chronic medication. This significantly enhanced the benefit that members receive, especially after chronic medicine benefit limits have been reached. Up until then, members were required to obtain their Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) chronic medication from a state facility once their chronic benefit limits had been reached. This arrangement was inconvenient for our members as the required medication was not always available at these state facilities.
The MEDI-Rite pharmacy group, the in-store pharmacy chain for the Shoprite group, was appointed as Fedhealth's private DSP, ensuring our members have convenient, easy access to their chronic medication.
Although this new arrangement may have caused some inconvenience to some members in the beginning, latest feedback shows that our members are satisfied and are appreciating the long term benefit.
We are also happy to announce that the MEDI-Rite group has expanded their footprint across the country. Since inception of the DSP in May last year, the number has increased from 70 to 100 in-store pharmacies, ensuring easier, more convenient access to your chronic medicine benefit. Members are reminded that if they live more than 10km from a MEDI-Rite pharmacy, they can contact MEDI-Rite on 021 983 5119/ 6 who will provide them with an application form which will allow them to forward their medication to their closest Shoprite store for collection. Members will be notified of the Shoprite store to which their medication will be delivered. They will be able to collect this at the Financial Services counter in this store. Please note that if your option requires you to use a MEDI-Rite pharmacy and you obtain your medication for a chronic condition from any other pharmacy, you will have to pay a 40% co-payment. Also, use of out-of-formulary medication will also attract a co-payment of 40%.
Just a reminder of when the DSP should be used on your specific option: |
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Maxima Plus, Ultimax & Ultima 300 |
Maxima Standard &
Ultima 200 |
Maxima Basis |
Maxima Core |
| DSP |
In-benefit:
(All chronic conditions) |
Service provider of choice |
Service provider of choice |
MEDI-Rite pharmacy |
MEDI-Rite pharmacy |
Out-of-benefit
(25 PMB conditions only) |
Service provider of choice |
MEDI-Rite pharmacy |
MEDI-Rite pharmacy |
MEDI-Rite pharmacy |
| Formulary |
In-benefit:
(All chronic conditions) |
Comprehensive formulary |
Comprehensive formulary |
Restrictive formulary |
Restrictive formulary |
Out-of-benefit
(25 PMB conditions only) |
Comprehensive formulary |
Restrictive formulary |
Restrictive formulary |
Restrictive formulary |
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| WHY YOUR CALL CENTRE ASKS FOR AUTHENTI-CATION |
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Due to us being in custody of sensitive and confidential medical information concerning you as a principal member of Fedhealth, and that of your dependants, we have to ensure that it is kept confidential. We therefore need to be sure that when someone calls the Customer Call Centre, it is either the principal member or an authorised representative. In order to ensure that we are talking to the correct person, you will be asked to verify certain information.
We do understand that this might be a little time consuming, but it is in the member's best interests that we do this. After answering the questions, our Call Centre will happily proceed with your call and enquiry.
Please note that the principal member may only change all personal details, including banking details, him or herself. If someone else is going to call the scheme on your behalf regularly, for example your spouse or PA, the scheme requires a letter of authority from you.♦ |
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GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR
DAY-TO-DAY BENEFITS
Everything you need to know
2010 is finally here and with that your annual day-to-day benefit which comprises your Out-of-Hospital Expenses Benefit (OHEB) and savings. Remember that claims will first be refunded from OHEB and then from your savings.
With the economy in recovery, but not quite there yet, consumers are still stretched to the limit and we would like our members to make the most of their day-to-day benefits available to them. Herewith, some useful tips to help stretch your day-to-day rands:
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Maybe the doctor is not necessary this time. Before heading off to your doctor or rushing off to the emergency room, get the right advice and you can save time and money. The Fedhealth Personal Health Advisor benefit offered to all Fedhealth members by Europ Assistance is available 24 hours a day on 0860 333 432. Questions about unfamiliar symptoms, medical and drug information, or common home remedies for dealing with sick children, nutrition and diet or more sensitive questions related to health are answered in the most confidential and confident manner by experienced nursing staff. You will be advised to see your doctor where necessary |
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Ask about fees. Before your consultation starts, ask your healthcare professional about his fee structure. In some cases, healthcare professionals will charge less if you pay them yourself after the consultation and then claim back from the scheme for a personal refund afterwards. This means that the healthcare professional gets his money quicker and also avoids the administration around the process of claiming from your medical aid. Although you have to submit the claim yourself, Fedhealth will reimburse you within two weeks of receiving your claim |
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Generics are just as good. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about generic equivalents for over-the-counter and prescription medication. These medications are not inferior in quality and are usually a lot cheaper than the original patented medication |
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A frame is a frame is a frame... Although Fedhealth will pay for designer frames for your glasses, it will leave you with less day-to-day benefits for the rest of the year. Therefore carefully consider the implications when selecting a frame. Shop around for special deals regularly advertised at the larger optometry outlets like Spec-Savers and Value Vision Optometrists. Some of these outlets will sometimes do an eye test for free if you buy your glasses from them |
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Fedhealth pays more from risk than any other scheme; know your benefits. Fedhealth has a host of unique benefits that take the pressure off your day-to-day benefits. For example, specialised radiology like MRI and CT scans are paid from risk and not your savings even when performed out of hospital. You must however obtain pre-authorisation for this expense otherwise it will be deducted from your savings. Another important example is trauma treatment that will also be paid from risk and not your savings but only when performed in the casualty ward of a hospital and not your doctor's rooms. You also need to obtain authorisation within 48 hours after the treatment. Trauma is defined as a physical injury to the body as the result of an external force that requires immediate attention. Therefore, it is better to go to your own GP for acute conditions e.g. colds, fever, flu etc. These are not considered trauma or emergency and as a result will not be covered from the trauma benefit but will pay from OHEB/savings. In the case of a hospital event, further treatment is very often required after discharge from hospital. Normally this would be deducted from your day-to-day benefit. But not at Fedhealth. We pay for follow up treatment like physiotherapy, radiology and pathology from risk for up to 30 days after discharge from hospital. Once again you must obtain pre-authorisation before you have this treatment otherwise it will be deducted from your day-to-day benefit. Take-home medication for seven days is also paid from risk if this is dispensed by the hospital pharmacy. |
Your savings account funds are your money and how you spend it is up to you, SO REMEMBER TO SPEND IT WISELY! ♦ |
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| Tips on avoiding cancer |
Think of the word 'cancer'. For most people, it has frightening connotations, but the good news is that by means of early detection, cancer is definitely not the death sentence it used to be. What's more, with World Cancer Day coming up on 4 February there are many things you can do to prevent cancer. Dr Carl Albrecht, chief researcher of the Cancer Association of South Africa, provided the following tips. These are things most people can do without incurring huge costs:
• Stop smoking, or even better, never start
• Balance food intake with exercise, obesity must be avoided at all costs
• Choose to eat unrefined starch, such as brown rice and wholewheat bread
• Reduce sugar intake
• Reduce salt intake; we eat approximately ten times the quantity of salt that we need
• Reduce the intake of animal fats, whether in the form of meat or dairy products
• Eat more beans
• Increase folic acid intake; this is found in spinach, among other things
• Increase omega-3 fatty acid intake; use canola oil instead of sunflower oil
• Eat many fresh fruit and vegetables
• Eat more tomatoes; among their many health benefits tomatoes are also very good protection against prostate cancer (while researchers are divided on the cancer-fighting properties of tomatoes, everyone agrees that they are nutritious, so you can't go wrong here)
• Use olive oil on salads - the cold-pressed virgin olive oil
• A glass of good red wine a day appears to have beneficial effects
• Drink tea
• Avoid too much sun, or even better, don't go into the sun unless adequately protected
• If any symptom that suggests cancer persists for more than two weeks, consult a GP.
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Michael C. Hall of DEXTER fame battles cancer
Actor Michael C. Hall, who plays a serial killer in the TV series 'Dexter', said that he has been battling cancer, but the treatment is almost finished and the disease is in remission.
The 38-year-old actor said in a media statement that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a treatable cancer of the lymphatic system. He did not say when the diagnosis was made.
"I feel fortunate to have been diagnosed with an imminently treatable and curable condition, and I thank my doctors and nurses for their expertise and care," Hall said.
His spokesman Craig Bankey said in the statement reported by People magazine that Hall's cancer is in remission and the actor will continue treatment as planned.
Hall was with his wife and "Dexter" co-star Jennifer Carpenter, at the Golden Globe awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday 17 January where he received the award for best dramatic actor. Bankey went on to say that Hall plans to make the fifth series of the Showtime drama "Dexter" later this year. In the show, Hall plays Dexter Morgan, a Miami police analyst who moonlights as a serial killer targeting sociopaths. ♦ |
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ARE YOU BABY READY?
With February being Reproductive Health Month, and Pregnancy Awareness Week from 7-14 February, if you"re thinking of falling pregnant now is the perfect time to take stock and assess how healthy your lifestyle is.
Find out whether you are getting all the nutrients you need to prepare your body for pregnancy. Poor nutrition before conception could continue during pregnancy, so now is also the time to take a closer look at your diet.
You need to start taking care of your health. It will increase your chances of falling pregnant and will give your baby a healthy start. Here's how:
Get a clean bill of health
Visit your doctor to make sure that you and your partner are in good health; to find out if you need any tests done and to make sure that you've had all your vaccinations, especially for rubella (German measles) which can cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy. If you have to be vaccinated against rubella, delay falling pregnant for at least three months. |
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Inherited disorders
All couples have on average a three to four percent risk of having a child with birth defects, mental retardation or genetic disorders such as Huntington's Chorea, Cystic Fibrosis, Haemophilia and Down Syndrome. Speak to your parents to find out whether there is a family history of these inherited disorders. Also ask about a history of recurrent miscarriages, any stillbirths or early childhood deaths. Discuss these concerns with your doctor or a genetics specialist.
Improve your diet
Make sure you eat three balanced meals a day consisting of foods from all four food groups. Good nutrition can improve your chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby.
Stop indulging
If you smoke or use drugs, now is the best time to quit. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine (more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day may reduce fertility by 27%). All these substances can cause problems with the pregnancy and even birth defects.
Stock up on folic acid
Folic acid, a vitamin B, is important to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. As it takes a while to build up sufficient amounts of folic acid, it is a good idea to start taking supplements. A non-pregnant woman should take 0,4mg daily and a pregnant woman, 0,8 - 1mg. Also eat folate-rich foods such as fortified breads and cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, citrus fruits and whole grains. Folic acid supplementation must begin four weeks before conception and maintained throughout pregnancy, but at least up to the eighth week.
Reach your goal weight
As dieting is not recommended during pregnancy, it is best to reach your recommended weight before you fall pregnant. Underweight women have a greater chance of having low birth weight babies and overweight women are more at risk of developing high blood pressure or diabetes. Aim to lose 0,5-1kg a week which is a safe rate of weight loss.
Take a vitamin tablet
Complement your diet with a good antenatal vitamin supplement to ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need. Ask your doctor to recommend one.
Exercise
Don't wait until you're pregnant to get fit. Start exercising long beforehand. You need to be fit as pregnancy puts a huge strain on the heart. Regular exercise will also make it easier for you to get through labour and will prepare you for the strains of pregnancy. Do aerobic exercises three to four times a week and exercises to strengthen your stomach and back muscles. Remember to consult your doctor before you start with your exercise programme.
Keep away from toxins or radiation
Limit your exposure to toxins or radiation. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure about what is dangerous.
Good excuse not to clean cat litter
Cat litter can carry toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause birth defects. This is a good time to delegate this chore. Wear gloves when you work in the garden if there are cats in the neighbourhood. Uncooked meat is also a source of toxoplasmosis, so avoid eating it or handling uncooked meat without gloves.
Prescription medicine
Talk to your doctor if you are taking prescription medicine. Your doctor may decide to alter treatment.
Psych yourself up for pregnancy
Start preparing yourself mentally for pregnancy and parenthood. Think about the changes in your lifestyle and career. Pregnancy and parenthood can put a great strain on a relationship. Now is the time to discuss pregnancy and parenting issues with your partner and to resolve any problems you may have.
Watch those herbs
Certain herbal remedies can interfere with fertility. Discuss the use of all herbal medication with your doctor.
Avoid take-aways, soft cheeses, pâté and smoked seafood
All these could contain the germ Listeria monocytogenes. This could result in premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth and other long-term health complications in your newborn.
As soon as you're sure that you're expecting your little bundle of joy, remember to register for Fedhealth Baby; a programme created to make your pregnancy experience all the more well informed and special. Call 0861 116 016 to join at no additional cost.
Happy baby making to all our Fedhealth members! ♦ |
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STI QUIZ
Questions
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Answers |
| Brush up on your STI knowledge for STI/ Condom Week by choosing whether the following statements are true or false: |
| 1. |
More than one in ten South Africans are HIV-infected. |
True.
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A conservative estimate by AIDS organisations sets the infection rate at 4,2 million. It's estimated that 2 000 people are infected every day in SA. |
| 2. |
Women who have had an STI are at an increased risk for infertility. |
True. |
Unfortunately, women who have contracted an STI are also at risk of contracting cervical cancer and AIDS. |
| 3. |
Experts call scabies the silent epidemic. |
False. |
Chlamydia is called the silent epidemic, 75 percent of women and 50 percent of the men who have the disease experience no symptoms. |
| 4. |
Men under 25 are at greater risk for STIs than women are. |
False. |
Women under 25 are at greater risk than men under 25. The highest incidence of STI infection occurs among women 15 - 19 years of age. |
| 5. |
Self-consciousness is the greatest obstacle people cite when trying to protect themselves against STIs. |
True. |
People of all ages cite embarrassment as the greatest obstacle they face in protecting themselves against STIs. |
| 6. |
Experts recommend that young people should be immunised against Hepatitis B. |
True. |
Sexually active adolescents or IV drug users should be immunised against Hepatitis B. The vaccine is available and can also be given to young children. |
| 7. |
Herpes and genital warts can be cured. |
False. |
Herpes and genital warts are chronic viral infections and are not curable. The symptoms can only be kept under control with treatment. |
| 8. |
When women have chlamydia or gonorrhoea there are usually no symptoms. |
True. |
70 percent of women with chlamydia and 50 percent of women with gonorrhoea have no symptoms at all. This means you can be infected without knowing it. |
| 9. |
Your risk of HIV infection may have increased if you have given blood at a blood bank in the last ten years. |
False. |
You can't get HIV/AIDS from giving blood. HIV can be transmitted through donated blood, but generally donated blood is screened very carefully. |
| 10. |
Condoms are still the best form of protection against contracting STIs. |
True. |
Condoms are still the best protection against STIs whether it is oral, vaginal or anal sex. |
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HEALTHY MADE EASY
New Year, New Resolutions! |
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We all need a little energy to get the new year well and truly started, so let's take a look at some nutritious snack ideas to fill your lunchboxes with.
Speaking of lunchboxes, these are not just small square boxes filled in crazy haste and then munched clean by 10:30. Oh no, these are spectacular little lifesavers with lids!
It has been proven, and we are talking of some serious research here, that most of us will devour healthy, nutritious snacks if they are readily available!
So here's the deal; try this money-saving, recession-beating tip for a week or two. Pack a feisty little lunchbox every day and see how much you will save over the period of a month, easily from R800 to R1 000. Stick to it for a couple of months and you're well on your way to paying for a well deserved mini break by April.
The thing is, if you get too hungry (no lunchbox), you allow your blood glucose to drop too low during the day, and then the following is bound to happen:
• You will grab the oiliest doughnut or bacon and egg sandwich by eleven
• You will completely overdose on coffee and/ or other stimulants (soft drinks, chocolates etc) throughout the day
• You will be forced to rush to the nearest restaurant and stretch your January budget that is already overspent.
So with the benefits of the packed lunchbox fully outlined, let's take a look at snack options - choose as many as you need in order to survive the day:
• Bagel with cottage cheese, shaved pastrami and sprouts
• Roll with watercress and tuna
• Wrap with hummus, grated carrot, beef strips and rocket
• Roll/ sandwich with avocado, lettuce and feta
• Couscous salad
• Salmon fishcakes (Woollies) plus cup of soup
• Ostrich burger with oven potato wedges
• Spaghetti with ham strips and mozzarella
• Macaroni cheese with mince
• Minute steak or fillet strips on couscous (add sultanas and cinnamon to couscous)
• Chicken strips, peas and brown rice
• Fishcakes with baked sweet potato wedges
• French toast fingers with avocado and cherry tomatoes
• Omelette strips with cheese
• Chicken and vegetable soup with brown bread croutons
• Prego roll or burgers
• Chicken kebabs and cherry tomatoes and peas
• Cucumber and cherry tomatoes and biltong sticks.
Additionally, you may like to add one, two or three of the following:
• Lite cheese portions
• Yoghurt/ Yogisip/ smoothies/ Milo drinks
• Hummus (homemade or bought) on crackers or as veggie dip
• Nut and seed bars, dried mango, apple
• Muffins (homemade are great because you can control the fat)
• Fruit chunks and if you get really creative, fruit kebabs
• Unroasted nuts and seeds (or blend into a smoothie)
• Vegetable sticks and raisins
• Air popped popcorn
• Japanese rice crackers dipped in hummus or mashed avocado
• Apple chips or vegetable chips, e.g. sweet potato, butternut and beetroot
• Sesame seed bars, date bars (dead easy to make)
• Home made apple and cinnamon cookies or crunchie biscuits
• Date balls (melt dates and butter, roll into balls and then dip in coconut)
• Frozen yoghurt (invest in an insulated cooler box).
February is Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, with Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day on 19 February, so may your lunchboxes be well packed, and get you off to a fit and healthy start to 2010 and beyond! ♦
Contributed by Amanda Weber of Dietetic Consultancy cell: 083 302 5976 e-mail: dietaw@iburst.co.za
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REAL RESPONSE
Here's your very own 'write in and be heard' section in HouseCall! |
We feature this month's best letter in this column, whether it relates to a compliment, suggestion or complaint. We believe in listening to everyone, because this is how we improve our service to you, and we invite members to use this channel for general comments about the scheme, its products and services.
Send your letters to
Red Metrowich at
REAL RESPONSE, HouseCall!,
P O Box 3065,
Saxonwold
2132,
or
Fax 086 590 2876.
The e-mail address is: housecall@ thecheesehasmoved.com
With regard to personal claims and related queries, please lodge them with the Call Centre only and not with this channel. Thank you.
Well done on managing a top scheme and always looking out for the interests of our members, specifically the quality of the communication to the members and how you keep us updated via Housecall! In my business I deal with many medical schemes. Your call centres are very effective and stand head and shoulders above the rest. Staff are friendly and willing to assist; claims are processed on time.
Leonard Snyders
I want you to know that I am a disappointed member of the scheme. Impossible to have clear answers to my different questions and queries. |
We asked the member to give us details, so we can improve our service, but he has unfortunately not done so.
- Editor. ♦ |
OUR EDITOR
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If you want to make direct contact with your Board of Trustees, you are welcome to contact Red Metrowich who is a member of the Board at: HouseCall!
Postal address: P O Box 3065, Saxonwold, 2132 Fax: 086 590 2876, E-mail |
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FIDDLE-FIT AT 103!
Fedhealth member positively
proves that you're only ever
as old as you feel |
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When Fedhealth discovered that one of its members was celebrating her 103rd birthday this January, they thought it only fit to pull out all the stops to make her birthday a very special one.
PE resident, Helena Gibb is a long-standing member of Fedhealth and at 103 is a picture of health. She is still only registered for one chronic medication and up until a year ago lived alone in a cottage, caring for herself. She attributes her excellent health and wellbeing to outdoors living stemming from her days as a farmer's wife. Helena and her late husband were citrus farmers in the Addo district and she still has a passion for the outdoors and farm life.
"Helena is a regular visitor to the Medscheme (Fedhealth) walk-in centre in PE and the staff all know her well. She is well-loved and we are very excited about the opportunity to honour her on such a momentous occasion," said Katy Caldis, Principal Officer and Chief Executive Officer, Fedhealth.
So what's the secret to a long and healthy life? Helena's philosophy is simple, "Always stay positive in life because it rubs off on everyone around you." Fedhealth wishes Helena a happy birthday and many more years of health and happiness! |
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CLICK BELOW FOR OUR WORD CHALLENGE |
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| DISCLAIMER: The opinions, advice and products contained in articles supplied by contributors other than employees of Fedhealth do not necessarily reflect the policy, rules or opinions of Fedhealth Medical Scheme. |
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TR1704 |
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