Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa
Abstract Background South Africa has a dual healthcare system comprising of private and public sectors covering 16% and 84% of the population, respectively. Medical schemes are the primary source of health insurance in the private sector. The aim of this study was to assess members of medical scheme...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14106-8 |
| _version_ | 1818064795345092608 |
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| author | Francis M’bouaffou Eric Buch Steve Olorunju Evelyn Thsehla |
| author_facet | Francis M’bouaffou Eric Buch Steve Olorunju Evelyn Thsehla |
| author_sort | Francis M’bouaffou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background South Africa has a dual healthcare system comprising of private and public sectors covering 16% and 84% of the population, respectively. Medical schemes are the primary source of health insurance in the private sector. The aim of this study was to assess members of medical schemes' perceived knowledge and satisfaction with their medical schemes. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified systematic sample of members of 22 open medical schemes. Medical schemes members completed an online questionnaire on knowledge and satisfaction with their medical schemes. We calculated a composite perceived knowledge and satisfaction score. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. Results A total of 336 members of medical schemes participated in this study. Respondents generally perceived themselves to have good knowledge of their medical schemes. Eighty-one percent of participants were satisfied with the quality of services received from their designated service providers (DSPs), however, only 9% were satisfied with accessibility of doctors under their DSP arrangement. Twenty-five percent of respondents were satisfied with scheme contributions and only 46% were satisfied with the prescribed minimum benefit package. Conclusion Medical schemes remain a key element of private healthcare in South Africa. The analysis shows that medical schemes, should put more effort into the accessibility of general practitioner under their designated service providers. Furthermore, the prescribed minimum benefits should be reviewed to provide a comprehensive benefits basket without co-payment for members as recommended by the Medical Schemes Act Amendment Bill of 2018. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T14:41:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-acb52815e69443d29c19439960c813aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T14:41:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-acb52815e69443d29c19439960c813aa2022-12-22T01:44:40ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-09-012211810.1186/s12889-022-14106-8Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South AfricaFrancis M’bouaffou0Eric Buch1Steve Olorunju2Evelyn Thsehla3School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of PretoriaSchool of Health Systems and Public Health, University of PretoriaBiostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilSAMRC/WITS Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandAbstract Background South Africa has a dual healthcare system comprising of private and public sectors covering 16% and 84% of the population, respectively. Medical schemes are the primary source of health insurance in the private sector. The aim of this study was to assess members of medical schemes' perceived knowledge and satisfaction with their medical schemes. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified systematic sample of members of 22 open medical schemes. Medical schemes members completed an online questionnaire on knowledge and satisfaction with their medical schemes. We calculated a composite perceived knowledge and satisfaction score. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. Results A total of 336 members of medical schemes participated in this study. Respondents generally perceived themselves to have good knowledge of their medical schemes. Eighty-one percent of participants were satisfied with the quality of services received from their designated service providers (DSPs), however, only 9% were satisfied with accessibility of doctors under their DSP arrangement. Twenty-five percent of respondents were satisfied with scheme contributions and only 46% were satisfied with the prescribed minimum benefit package. Conclusion Medical schemes remain a key element of private healthcare in South Africa. The analysis shows that medical schemes, should put more effort into the accessibility of general practitioner under their designated service providers. Furthermore, the prescribed minimum benefits should be reviewed to provide a comprehensive benefits basket without co-payment for members as recommended by the Medical Schemes Act Amendment Bill of 2018.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14106-8Medical schemesKnowledgePrescribed minimum benefitsMember satisfactionKnowledge |
| spellingShingle | Francis M’bouaffou Eric Buch Steve Olorunju Evelyn Thsehla Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa BMC Public Health Medical schemes Knowledge Prescribed minimum benefits Member satisfaction Knowledge |
| title | Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa |
| title_full | Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa |
| title_short | Perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes: a cross-sectional study in South Africa |
| title_sort | perceived knowledge of scheme members and their satisfaction with their medical schemes a cross sectional study in south africa |
| topic | Medical schemes Knowledge Prescribed minimum benefits Member satisfaction Knowledge |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14106-8 |
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