BDLive reports that medical scheme members are likely to face higher-than-usual contribution increases in 2017, along with greater restrictions in their choice of health-care providers, according to Insight Actuaries.  

Joint CEO Christoff Raath said:  "There appears to be general consensus in the industry that 2016 claims experience is higher than expected.  Our impression at Insight is that this is an industry-wide phenomenon driven by higher utilisation rather than higher tariffs, and more hospital claims.  Most open medical schemes appear to be affected."  The magnitude of this effect differs from scheme to scheme and, although what is seen is not catastrophic, it is not insignificant.  Open medical schemes (those with no restrictions on membership) are due to announce their contribution increases and product changes from late September.

• Read this report by Tamar Kahn in full at BDLive

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