Sizwe Medical Fund and its administrator, Sechaba Medical Solutions , scored tops among the lower income market in a recent independent survey of the medical aid industry.

The Twig SA annual survey independently researches medical schemes and administrators across the industry.

In the lower income group, Sechaba Medical Solutions scored highest in 14 categories, dominating this section of the survey. This included some of the vital aspects of service, including: queries are dealt with efficiently, staff are able to answer members' questions, they respect members' dignity, act professionally, show concern for member's needs, and understand and respond to members' needs.

Says Sechaba Medical Solutions Chief Operating Officer Brett de Klerk: “These results are an excellent indication that our service levels are distinguishable in the industry as observed by low-income groups, an important sector of the market which we have always supported.”

“Sechaba Medical Solutions and Sizwe Medical Fund were started by a group of black Sowetan doctors in 1978, particularly to cover lower income workers who were alienated by the system at that time. We are therefore proud that this group rates us so highly, which is a good indication that we are still serving their needs, and serving them well, after 28 years,” says De Klerk.

In the traditional sector, Sechaba Medical Solutions was rated third best administrator overall at 8,0 (out of 10) according to service levels experienced by members, following closely behind Discovery (8,1%) and Medihelp (8,3%).

“This is great news for Sechaba Medical Solutions as an administrator, which prides itself on good service, particularly as the industry becomes highly legislated. As more legislation is introduced to govern the way medical schemes and their administrators may operate, there is a parallel increasing emphasis on service as schemes are less able to compete on price and products.

“Our aim is to be number one in the traditional market as well as the lower income market and with our highly capable state-of-the-art system that can incorporate any legislated changes, coupled with a group of dedicated staff, we believe we are on the way to reaching this goal,” concludes De Klerk.