Money-saving tips for AMS members

The more you understand your Scheme, the Rules and your benefits, the better you will be able to use them and the more money you will save. Find more information on www.angloms.co.za, in your benefit guide, in MediBrief articles, attend Scheme meetings (such as the AGM or yearend presentations), meet with your Client Liaison Officer or call the Call Centre on 0860 222 633.

Here are some tips on how to save money and make the most of your benefits:

• Understand the claiming process: what details need to be included on a claim and when you can claim for which healthcare service, for the Scheme to be able process and fund the claim.
• Make use of preventative care benefits. Detecting health risks or diseases early, could prevent a disease or at least improve the success rate of the treatment.
• Make sure all your conditions and medications are correctly registered for chronic or PMB benefits to prevent unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses. Call the Call Centre to check. If you take medication to treat a health issue for longer than six months, you might be able to access dedicated benefits once registered if it is a recognised chronic condition.
• If you were diagnosed with a condition and your healthcare provider suggested a treatment, stick to it. Going on and off certain medication to save benefits or to cut monthly costs can cost you more in the future. In some cases, e.g. the treatment of high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes or mental health conditions, it can even be dangerous for your health to interrupt treatment.
• Never wait to see a doctor if something is worrying you for a while or if pain or symptoms don't go away. Ignoring health issues or avoiding costs for blood tests or x-rays could result in much higher costs later, such as hospitalisation or lifelong treatment.
• Use networks to avoid co-payments. On the Value Care Plan, most of your healthcare providers operate on the Prime Cure network. On the Standard Care Plan (SCP), you can use a network dentist or the hospital network, and on the Managed Care Plan (MCP), there is a GP network. On both the SCP and MCP, use day clinics where possible, instead of hospitals, to avoid co-payments and to reduce procedure costs.
• Use generics to reduce medicine cost and to stretch your benefits. Select your plan and then your medicine benefit page where you will find a lookup tool to search for cheaper, alternative medication for your condition.
• Make sure you claim back everything you can from SARS. Always submit medically related expenses through the Scheme so they are all included on your medical tax certificate.

Published: February 2023.