HouseCall 1005

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JUNE HEALTH CALENDAR
National Youth Month Men's Health Month National Blood Donor Month
1	International Children's Day
4	International Day of innocent Children - Victims of Aggression
5	World Environment Day
14	World Blood Donor Day
15	World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16	Youth Day
21-27	National Epilepsy Week
21	National Epilepsy Day
21-27	National Youth Health Indaba
21-27	SANCA Drug Awareness Week
26	International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking

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 ♦

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. ♦

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

... Katy Caldis

"If we had unlimited resources, choices would be simple, but sadly we need to cover almost unlimited demand with a clearly finite pool of resources that needs to be equitably rationed over all the competing needs."

Every now and again I wake up wishing that we lived in a world of abundance and unlimited resources. But why stop there? I should rather wish for a world without disease - then we wouldn't be in desperate need of those unlimited resources. Unfortunately, this is not our reality.

Fedhealth is a not-for-profit trust fund owned by the members, for the members. Our only source of income is member contributions and from this accumulated pot of money we need to meet all our obligations which include costing our benefits effectively in order to efficiently cover the healthcare needs of all our members and in doing so ensure the future sustainability of the scheme. It is a careful balancing act of trying to meet members' needs as far as possible, but at the same time trying to keep contributions affordable.

One of our biggest challenges is the fact that medical inflation has outstripped normal inflation year on year for over a decade. This has resulted in higher contributions from members due to the increasing costs of hospitalisation and treatment of serious illnesses and a reduction in routine day-to-day benefits.

One of the major cost drivers of medical inflation is the introduction of new technology and medicines. The healthcare environment is the only industry I know of where new technology pushes up the cost instead of making things more affordable. We all want progress but at what cost? Who are the ultimate beneficiaries?

The cost of new specialised medication (e.g. biological drugs) is of equal concern. We fully understand the emotional drive behind every person who's ever received a life changing diagnosis to grasp at any new treatment possibility for a chance of recovery or at least an improvement in quality of life. But does the efficacy of these treatments always merit the enormous price tag?

It is unfortunately within this highly charged environment, that we as a Board are required to make extremely difficult decisions. This is done in association with clinical funding experts who evaluate each new drug and technology, its cost-effectiveness and affordability. If we had unlimited resources, choices would be simple, but sadly we need to cover almost unlimited demand with a clearly finite pool of resources that needs to be equitably rationed over all the competing needs.

Our challenge moving into the future is to find a way of ensuring that healthcare remains affordable. Our only hope in achieving this is to work with doctors and specialists so that they also understand our world and the impact that their decisions have on all members of the scheme. Too often funders and healthcare providers find each other at opposite poles. While managed care protocols may cause bureaucracy and red tape for members and doctors, without these interventions cost escalation would be even worse. Working together towards a common goal of a sustainable industry is the only way forward and the first step in achieving universal coverage for all South Africans.

Katy Caldis
CEO ♦

CHANGES TO CHRONIC MEDICATION

In the February issue of HouseCall!, the article "Changing your chronic medication" advised members on how to update or amend an existing chronic medicine authorisation with Chronic Medicine Management (CMM). This applies even if just the strength of the authorised medication changes, for e.g. you currently take 18mg and now your doctor has changed this to 40mg of the authorised medication. Your healthcare professional will provide you with a new script for the medication. CMM also needs to be notified of this change. This can be done telephonically either by your healthcare professional or the pharmacist. If CMM is not notified of this change, you will not be able to receive the correct strength of your medication.

Members are also reminded that, where possible, they should always ask for a generic replacement medicine. They are just as effective as the original, but are far cheaper which means that your chronic medicine limit will last much longer.

For further information, please call Chronic Medicine Management on 0860 100 608. ♦

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 ♦

TEENS BENEFIT FROM FEDHEALTH'S TEEN LINE

Teenagers face more peer pressure and stress than ever before and the Teen Line is able to offer advice and counselling to troubled teenagers on physical, emotional and sexual questions and problems they may be experiencing. The teen is spoken to in their home language and advice is given with respect and confidentially. Abused or neglected children are also encouraged to phone the Teen Line as the nurses are trained to address such issues in a sensitive manner.

The Teen Line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Talking is part of healing
15 year old Susan called the Fedhealth Teen Line because she was missing her mom who had passed away 18 months ago. She told the nurse that she had no one to talk to as her father was working long hours and her sister was too young and was behaving quite badly. She started crying when she started explaining that she felt her father wasn't worrying about how she was feeling. The nurse showed care and empathy by listening to Susan and allowed her to talk. She then asked Susan to try to talk to her father or to write him aletter explaining how she was feeling.

Susan called back a few days later and said she had gone out with some friends but felt down when she was back at home. She told the nurse she wrote a letter to her father telling him how she felt but he hadn't read it yet. She had also spoken to her sister about her behaviour and her sister had said that she misbehaved because she missed her mom. The nurse counselled Susan again and gave her tips on positive living.

When the nurse called Susan again the following week she was feeling much better after a family meeting where everyone had the opportunity to share their feelings for the first time. ♦

UPDATE ON THE OVERAGE
DEPENDANT REVIEW

In the March Issue of HouseCall!, the article "Child rates for financially dependent children until age 27" reminded members that Fedhealth covers your financially dependent children at the child rate until they turn 27. Every year, we conduct a review of the child dependants who are 21 years and older to verify that they still qualify for the child rate. In order to confirm that they qualify for the child rate, the annual review includes a questionnaire that needs to be completed by the member. If the child dependant is still a full time student, the member needs to attach a copy of the university registration or proof of student registration. If the child is a part-time student, we require an affidavit confirming employment (if applicable), income (if any), residency and marital status. If the child is not studying, then we require an affidavit confirming employment (if applicable), income (if any), residency and marital status. It is important that you complete this questionnaire and submit any requirements to the Scheme as soon as you receive the review. Failure to do so will either result in your child dependant being charged the adult rate or being terminated from the Scheme. For further information, please call the Fedhealth Customer Call Centre on 0860 002 153. ♦

Useful Tips >>>>>>>

Where possible, ask the HCP if they do charge NHRPL rates or close to NHRPL rates. This will help gain more benefit cover from your available OHEB and Savings.

Orthognathic surgery (osteotomy procedures) might be required in conjunction with the orthodontic treatment. This surgery and the related hospitalisation and anaesthetist costs will be subject to available OHEB, Savings and/or Safety Net (up to the Advanced Dentistry limit) for cover. It would be in your own best interests to establish whether such treatment is envisaged, due to the high costs involved.

TREAT THE CAUSE, NOT THE SYMPTOMS

Rhizotomies and facet joint injections for chronic back pain no longer covered by the Scheme

Chronic back pain is a common ailment that is associated with major healthcare expenditure. Although most back pain will resolve spontaneously or respond to conservative therapies such as medication (analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants), exercise and physical therapy, immobilisation, and trigger point injections with local anaesthetic, many patients will have prolonged pain.

A treatment that has become popular is the facet block or rhizotomy where the patient receives an injection of local anaesthetic into the area of the spine causing discomfort. These procedures are performed in a theatre (or equivalent procedure room) with radiological guidance and either local anaesthesia or conscious sedation, thus incurring significant costs, while only providing temporary relief. The scheme's concern with this type of treatment is that it does not address the cause of the pain but only temporarily relieves the pain. Patients therefore almost always require repeat procedures indefinitely as the cause is not being treated as this procedure is not curative.

With this in mind the Scheme has taken the decision with immediate effect not to cover these procedures. However, available savings in your day-to-day benefit can cover them, but without accumulation to the Safety Net. ♦

BRACE YOURSELF

Taking a closer look at orthodontic treatment and its effect on day-to-day benefits

Last month, we looked at how a simple GP claim is processed from your day-to-day benefit. This month, we will have a look at how a claim for orthodontic treatment is processed. Before the orthodontic treatment commences, your orthodontist will give you an estimate of the cost of the entire treatment as well as the treatment plan. This estimate must be submitted to the scheme in order to confirm how the orthodontic treatment will be covered. All orthodontic treatment is payable from your available day-to-day benefits (OHEB* and Savings).

To illustrate how an orthodontic claim is processed, we have used the example of an orthodontist who has given the member an estimation of R16 744.40 for the full orthodontic treatment.

An initial fee of R4 254.82 is payable on commencement of treatment. The balance of R12 489.58 is payable over 16 months at an amount of R780.60 per month. The orthodontist charges above the NHRPL tariff.

	EXAMPLE 1: In this example, OHEB and Savings are available. The OHEB refunds up to 100% of NHRPL.		EXAMPLE 2: In this example, OHEB has been depleted, but Savings are still available. Savings refunds up to cost.		EXAMPLE 3: In this example, all day-to-day benefits have been depleted.	Your claims accumulate to your annual Safety Net Level at NHRPL tariff only. Accumulation of advanced dentistry is limited to R4 828 per beneficiary per year.
How your claim will be refunded if...	OHEB available	Savings available	OHEB depleted	Savings available	No day-to- day available	Accumulation to Safety Net
Initial Fee: R4 254.82	R3 629.55	R625.27		R4 254.82	Claim will not be refunded but member must submit claim so that it can accumulate to Safety Net.	R3 629.55
Monthly Fee: R780.60	R665.88	R114.72		R780.60	Claim will not be refunded but member must submit claim so that it can accumulate to Safety Net.	R665.88

Orthodontic treatment involves the straightening of a person’s teeth to achieve the ideal occlusion (bite) between the upper and lower teeth. It is mainly practised by an orthodontist, but may be performed by a dental practitioner – with the latter only being entitled to charge two-thirds of the orthodontic fee.

Process for authorisation, cover and claim payment
Once the Healthcare Professional (HCP) has assessed the patient, a quotation and treatment plan will be drawn up and should contain the following: membership number, tariff code, total fee, initial fee, period over which the treatment will take place and monthly amount.

On receipt of the quotation, Fedhealth will assess the member's available benefits against the fees charged. An authorisation letter will be forwarded to the member and/or HCP via e-mail or fax and the original letter posted to the member, provided there is available OHEB, Savings and/or Safety-Net (up to the Advanced Dentistry limit) benefits. Contained in the letter will be a table indicating the "quotation" amounts (HCP fees) and "scale of benefits" (medical aid/ NHRPL rates).

The HCP will claim for the initial fee on commencement of treatment, where payment will be from available OHEB (up to the Advanced Dentistry limit) at the NHRPL tariff and the balance from available Savings. The accumulated amount towards the Safety Net level will be at the NHRPL tariff, to a maximum of the Advanced Dentistry limit. The follow-up monthly payments will also be processed from available OHEB (up to the Advanced Dentistry limit) and Savings, with accumulation towards the Safety Net level being subject to the available Advanced Dentistry limit.

On completion of the active phase of treatment, a retention phase will take place for a period of +- 12 months. No authorisation is required, however the once-off payment will be subject to available OHEB, Savings and/or Safety-Net (up to the Advanced Dentistry limit).

FAQ
What orthodontic treatment costs will not be covered?
Ceramic brackets, repair of orthodontic wires/ appliances, retreatment of previous orthodontic treatment.

With treatment being over a period of, for example, 16 months, what happens to the cover of the monthly payments that are claimed for in the following year?
No new authorisation will be required and payments will be subject to the available OHEB and Savings benefits for that year.

How does the Advanced Dentistry benefit limit affect the cover of orthodontic treatment?
The available Advanced Dentistry benefit before Safety Net is reached will depend upon the total OHEB benefit available. If Safety Net is reached, the benefit will be subject to the available Advanced Dentistry limit – this available limit could be affected by any accumulated amounts that took place before the Safety Net level was reached.

	CRYSTAL METH
	Are you up to speed? June is an important month to bring awareness to the war on drugs, 21 - 27 June is SANCA Drug Awareness Week and 26 June is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. Forewarned is forearmed, and with many of South Africa's youth falling prey to drug use, HouseCall! takes a closer look at a dangerous drug that’s out on the streets. "Tik" (crystal meth) is a buzzword in drug circles and is becoming increasingly popular among school children. The drug has recently sparked a huge response from health authorities. Far more is being done to clamp down on dealers than with any other drug in South Africa. Why such a huge response? According to Grant Jardine, director of the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC), the increased rate of usage of crystal meth is dramatic. "It is something we haven't seen before. It is the greatest challenge the CTDCC has ever had to face."
The drug is highly addictive. According to the CTDCC, over six months of use 94 percent of those who smoke meth become addicted. It is attracting very young, first-time users. The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SENDU), which monitors drug use countrywide, found the greatest increase in users to be those under the age of 20 years. Treatment centres such as the Crescent Clinic's Chemical Dependency Unit are treating children as young as 13 for crystal meth addiction. Health professionals are also concerned about the impact of crystal meth on long-term drug users. Ted Leggett, senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, has done extensive research on gangsterism on the Cape Flats. He points out that crystal meth is becoming extremely popular amongst gang members. Hardened criminals taking drugs that induce violent behaviour is a cause for concern. The drug can be found in many forms, from a fine powder to larger crystals. It can be snorted, orally ingested, injected or smoked - smoking being the most common method in South Africa. On the street, crystal meth has many names, including "tuk-tuk", "tik", "crystal", "straw" and "globes". Available in a kitchen near you The ingredients are easily accessible and many manufacturers need nothing more than their kitchens to concoct large quantities. Recipes are plentiful and readily available, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to make it. Long-term effects Crystal meth can be damaging in several ways. The drug is commonly sold as a combination of amphetamines and talcum powder, baking powder, starch, glucose or quinine. These additives can be very poisonous. Because the user never knows exactly what he is using, even an experienced user can accidentally overdose. Tolerance develops quickly, which means that higher doses of the drug need to be used to get the same effect, and/or that the drug needs to be taken more frequently or in different ways. Chronic abuse can lead to out-of-control rages, violence, anxiety, confusion, mood disturbances and insomnia. Users can become psychotic, experiencing symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations and flight of ideas (jumping from one topic to the next). The paranoia can result in homicide or suicide. The drug causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other effects include respiratory problems and irregular heartbeat. Crystal meth affects many parts of the central nervous system. According to the treatment guidelines issued by the US Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, "some of the most frightening findings about meth suggest that its prolonged use not only modifies behaviours, but literally changes the brain in fundamental and longlasting ways". Look out for these warning signs For obvious reasons, early intervention will give an addict the best chances of recovering. Is someone you know in trouble? These are the signs of crystal meth abuse: • Drug paraphernalia: light bulbs, glass straws (so-called "lollies" or "popeye"). • Loss of appetite and weight loss • Aggression • Dilated pupils • Rapid speech • Anxiety • Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) • Headaches • Over-confidence • Insomnia • Changes in dress, friends and slang • Drug paraphernalia: light bulbs, glass straws (so-called "lollies" or "popeye"). ♦

ALL ABOUT PROSTATE June is also Men's Health Month, so it's time to talk prostate, and its much-dreaded related exam. The prostate gland, which is about the size of a walnut, is located at the bottom part of the bladder in front of the rectum in men. It plays a very important role in the reproductive process. Its most important function is to produce most of the fluids in semen, as well as the fluid that transports the sperm. Within the prostate are tiny ducts that transport this fluid to the urethra. During ejaculation, this fluid is released through the penis. A checklist to know whether there is something wrong with your prostate: • Do you find it difficult to start urinating? • Do you have a general dull pain in your lower pelvic area? • Do you feel a constant urgency to urinate? • Do you experience pain during urination? • Is your urine flow weak or dribbling? • Do you have a feeling that your bladder is not empty, even after urinating? • Do you get up frequently in the night to urinate? • Is there ever blood in your urine? • Is it painful when you ejaculate? • Do you have general pain in your lower back, hips or thighs? • Do you have persistent bone pain?
Consult a doctor if you experience any of the above bothersome symptoms. Any man over 50 years should have a yearly prostate check to rule out prostate cancer. Black men, who are at higher risk for this kind of cancer, and men with a positive family history of prostate cancer should start their prostate checks at age 40. The aim of yearly prostate checks is to diagnose prostate cancer early, when it is still curable. ♦

	HUBBLY BUBBLY; TOIL & TROUBLE? Adapted from a piece by Tammy Sutherns for Grocott's Mail Online June is all about being young responsibly; with it being National Youth Month and Youth Day on 16 June there is a strong youth focus. HouseCall! takes a look at a dangerous youth-trend, the hubbly bubbly. Smoking a hubbly bubbly has picked up considerably in the last few years, especially among South African youth. Also known as hookah pipes, waterpipes, narghiles or shishas, they range in size and colour, can have one pipe or many and there are a wide range of flavoured tobacco to try, from raspberry to chocolate. Hubblies are also enjoyed for the fact that one can sit in a group and puff on flavoured tobacco, while passing the pipe around. Because it is filtered through water, it has always been seen as a lot healthier than the conventional form of smoking. However, in light of World Tobacco Day on 31 May, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) released a warning about the dangers of smoking a hubbly bubbly, saying, "It is associated with many of the same risks as smoking and may, in fact, involve some unique health risks." Gerda Strauss, head of Health Programmes at CANSA, says, "Young people are led to believe that using waterpipes is safe and fun, but they are deadly. We need to educate the population on the serious health risks associated with waterpipe use to prevent an increase in tobacco related deaths." Research shows that smoking a hubbly bubbly for one hour is the equivalent of smoking 100 -200 times the volume of smoke compared to a single cigarette. Even though the smoke passes through the water, it still has the toxic elements of normal smoke, such as carbon monoxide, metals and chemicals which cause cancer. As research continues into the dangers of the hookah, younger and younger people are starting to hit the pipe. CANSA says, "the popularity of waterpipe smoking appears to be encouraged by the social nature of the activity as well as the unfounded assumptions of relative safety compared to cigarettes." "In reality, a waterpipe smoking session may expose the smoker to smoke more over a longer period of time than when smoking a cigarette." The passing around of the pipe in a communal environment can also increase chances of spreading illnesses such as tuberculosis. ♦

BECOMING "FIT" SMART
What is epilepsy? Epileptic fits or seizures are sudden, often dramatic "electrical storm" in the brain that affect about 1% of the population. All may be seen as symptoms of a wide variety of underlying disorders of brain or body that promote seizure activity. There are several different seizure types. Some seizures cause convulsions with loss of consciousness and violent muscle spasms, while others may involve unusual sensations, brief periods of "blanking out" or manifest simply as altered behaviour. The term epilepsy is used when seizures are recurrent over an extended time period. The following examples describe two quite different settings in which seizures may occur: A solitary seizure associated with alcohol withdrawal is best thought of as an isolated seizure with a clearly defined cause (withdrawal from alcohol), whereas a child with developmental delay and recurrent seizures as a result of birth injury to the brain should be regarded as having epilepsy.
Epileptics are frequently stigmatised by others for their disease, and it should be emphasised that the tendency to have seizures is quite distinct from mental retardation or low intelligence. Although seizures are usually not life-threatening in themselves, the consequences of seizing (e.g. while driving or swimming) may be fatal. Convulsive seizures are frightening events to experience either directly or as an onlooker. Knowing something about seizures and the ways in which they can be managed is a first step towards taking control. ♦

HEALTHY MADE EASY

Let's do a little number crunching to keep things interesting before winter strikes.

•	88cm (female) and 102cm (male) - the preferred waist circumference - any more will indicate a too thick fatty layer around organs which increases risk for degenerative disease (diabetes, heart disease or cancer)
•	20 minutes brisk walking will burn the same amount of kJ as a 60 minute gym session
•	56 Stick to snack foods with a Glycaemic Index of 56 or less to ensure a stable blood glucose profile for sustained energy
•	5 mmol/l - a relatively safe blood choles- terol count (though risk is also dependent on other risk factors - for example, if you are overweight and a smoker, you should strive for a 4mmol/l
•	4 Go for blood pressure checks every four months
•	24 Body mass index should not exceed 24 (how to calculate: divide weight by height (in metres) squared
•	70 The percentage (%) cocoa solids in good chocolate. Rather have a small portion of good chocolate than a slab of the regular brands that are loaded with cheap oils and sugars
•	3 Times per week, for regular sex to ward off wrinkles
•	Every 12 weeks replace your old tooth- brush
•	210 The number of extra kJ burnt per day for every 500g of muscle tissue you have (fat – on the other hand - burns around 20kJ per day)
•	0 The amount of cigarettes that are safe to smoke per day
•	5 Important to train for 20-30 minutes 5 times a week
•	3 Find fish 3 times a week somewhere on the menu! Oily fish at least 2 per week and white fish at least once.

And even more interesting facts:

•	Did you know that the most nutritious part of broccoli is the stem, not the florets
•	Did you know that the mineral zinc is absolutely essential for memory and attention span. We find zinc in red meat, oysters and wholegrain, but you might need to supplement to get to the required dose. Zinc is also vital for skin health, and healing. Zinc is often used for the treatment of acne
•	Even though we live in such a sunny country, we still might have low levels of vitamin D as not enough is produced by sunlight. Also contributing is the fact that we wear lots of sun block (which reduces vitamin D production) or stay out of the sun completely. Vitamin D is essential for bone strength but also for many other functions in the body. We find vitamin D in all tinned fish, also in mushrooms and in supplement form.

Winter 2010 - think delicious and nutritious! ♦

Contributed by Amanda Weber of Dietetic Consultancy cell: 083 302 5976 e-mail: dietaw@iburst.co.za

BARKS, BITES AND SCRATCHES

Protecting your pet

Members of Fedhealth Medical Scheme are generally pet lovers. Although generalisations, like comparisons, can be problematical, it appears from a study of the Fedhealth Pet Accident Cover that our members are not only pet lovers but also care for their pets when they need professional help.

Between May 2008, when this Benefit was introduced, and December 2008, 125 members lodged 147 claims for 124 pets. In 2009, 360 members made use of this Benefit, submitting 436 claims for 344 pets, and in the first three months of 2010, 60 members lodged 62 claims for 57 pets.

Among the popular pet names listed as having benefited from the Accident Cover, there are some interesting ones as well: Puff Daddy, Diesel, Tiger, also known as Tiggy Tig, and Brakkenjan. Others bear place names, such as Kenya, India, Paris and Malibu. There are names from history, including Bismarck and perhaps from literature such as Storm and Dodger (possibly from books by Wilbur Smith and Charles Dickens?). The most original name, which must surely belong to a cat, is Bartholomeuw.

The Fedhealth Pet Accident Cover is provided by Petsure and is available only where a pet has been injured in an accident and not for other visits to the veterinarian. ♦

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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.

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.

I am very annoyed and upset that a claim from my GP in 2009 has not yet been paid. It is already March 2010 and it is embarrassing for me that my doctor is being kept waiting for his bill to be paid.

On investigation, we found that the claim had, in fact, been paid as had all other claims submitted by the member in 2009. Members are asked to keep on file the Claim Acknowledgement and Member Payment Advice notices which are sent regularly to them. At Fedhealth we pride ourselves on keeping members fully informed on the progress of claims they or their healthcare provider submit, enabling members to keep check on the progress of their claims at all times.

~ Editor ♦

OUR EDITOR

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

TR1747

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