More value and single-digit increase for Bonitas
2022-04-25
A growth in membership, an increased emphasis on managed care and a range of enhancements to offer members real value for money are just some of the highlights from the Bonitas 2020 Product Launch.
More value for members
We have significantly increased the day-to-day benefit on Primary and Primary Select by 15% for 2020. In addition, the savings on BonSave have been increased to 20% while the savings on BonFit have been increased to 16%. The dental package (paid from risk) on BonSave and BonFit has been restructured based on member need and utilisation. 2 GP benefits when savings have been depleted have also been added to BonFit to give members more peace of mind.
Enhanced Wellness Extender
One of the key initiatives for 2020 is an enhanced Wellness Extender benefit available on all options except BonCap. The benefit will range from R910 to R1 750 and can be used for:
- GP consultations
- Physiotherapy consultations and treatment
- Biokineticist consultations and treatment
- Dietician consultations and treatment
- A smoking cessation programme
- Blood tests
- X-rays
In addition, the new benefit design means claims will be paid from the Wellness Extender benefit first which does not impact day-to-day benefits or savings and allows members to get more value for money.
Talking babies
We cover the birth of around 9 000 babies every year, with 20% of these involving some kind of complication. For this reason we firmly believe we need to offer pregnant women additional support and education. Next year the maternity benefit will allow one of the post-natal consultations to be used for a consultation with a lactation specialist. Moms will also be able to access vouchers for up to 70% off baby products and further discounts at Baby City through the voucher platform. We are also in the process of establishing a comprehensive baby programme which will offer pregnant moms a range of benefits.
More radiology benefits
The specialised radiology benefit on BonEssential and BonEssential Select will pay for in and out of hospital use in 2020, so members can get the care they need when they need it.
Adjusted hearing aid benefit
The hearing aid cycle has been adjusted in line with international protocols, which show that the average lifespan of a hearing aid is approximately 8 years. Hearing aids will now be available on 5-year cycle from the date of last claim on BonComprehensive, BonClassic, BonComplete, Standard and Standard Select.
We?ve got your back
There has been a 41% increase in the admission rate for spinal fusion surgery from 2018 to 2019. Only 6% of the cases being treated by the back and neck programme prior to surgery, we are therefore actively driving uptake of the programme to improve clinical outcomes for members. The programme currently has a 91% success rate. In fact of the members that completed the programme only 5% required surgery. The co-payment for spinal surgery without completing the back and neck programme will be R10 000 on BonComprehensive, BonClassic, BonComplete, Standard and Standard Select.
Partnering with Run/Walk for Life and Eat for Life
The top four conditions suffered by our high risk members are hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. To help get members moving and exercising regularly as well as ensuring their nutritional needs are met, we have partnered with Run/Walk for Life who are offering Bonitas members a 70% discount. Members can join Run/Walk for Life and Eat for Life for a R135 a month. Furthermore, around 93% of high-risk members are located within a 30km radius of a Run/Walk for Life facility. As an added bonus, if a pregnant Bonitas mom joins the programme, her partner can join too ? free of charge!
Improved value added offering
Earlier this year we introduced our value added product model for 2019. This included a range of free vouchers, gap cover and life insurance. We don?t believe in charging our members subscription fees for value added benefits and don?t believe they should have to earn points to be rewarded. This offering is available to all active Bonitas members, who have freedom choice in how they wish to participate. The 2020 value added programme has been substantially upgraded with even richer benefits and discounts, enabling members to stretch their hard-earned Rands even further.
Free discount vouchers
We?ve revamped the voucher platform to include over 300 retail discount vouchers every month. This includes access to deals on groceries, household goods, food, entertainment and much more. These deals are available from a range of retailers including Pick ?n Pay, Spar, Edgars, Dis-Chem and Baby City. Members will have the option to download discounted gift vouchers from a range of partners ? which they can share with friends and family.
Gap cover through Medgap
Medgap is the gap cover product of choice for Bonitas members offering an exclusive 26% discount. This is supported by a seamless claims process to ensure that members have peace of mind. In addition, the overall limit will increase to R165 000. This will be further supported by an increase of three times the reimbursement rate of your Bonitas option! To appeal to a younger, target market, the Medgap Millennial Product will be launched into the market for single members aged 18 to 29 from just R157 a month. Medgap will also offer a trauma benefit for children under 5, allowing members to take their little ones to the ER in the case of emergencies. In addition, the newly introduced baby bump benefit will pay out R2 000 to members on confirmation of pregnancy.
Financial wellness with Sanlam Indie
To encourage our members to ensure that their families best interests are taken care of, Sanlam Indie are offering FREE R150 000 life cover for three months to all new Bonitas members who join the Fund and give consent! In addition, funeral cover is one of the key needs of the Bonitas membership base. Sanlam Indie have revamped their funeral cover to offer the best value for money heading into 2020 as it provides up to R50 000 cover per family member which doubles after two years at no additional cost. What?s more is that premiums don?t increase and members get a free wealth bonus investment. Claims are paid within hours and up to 20 family members can be covered.
Miway added to the platform
In 2020, Bonitas members will be able to extend their discounts to short-term insurance as we welcome MiWay to the platform. MiWay will offer a discount of 5% on household and motor vehicle insurance on any quoted price ? exclusive to Bonitas! In addition, members signing up to MiWay will receive a free tracking device and additional benefit for emergency ambulance transport.
Enhanced Wellness Extender
The Fund announced that the increases for 2020 range from just 6.2%, with an average increase on risk contributions of 9.4% and an average increase of 9.9%. The increases were as follows:
- 6.2% for BonFit
- 8.4% for Primary, Primary Select, BonEssential and BonEssential Select
- 9.3% for Standard and Standard Select
- 9.5% for BonSave
- 11.9% for BonComprehensive, BonClassic, BonComplete, Hospital Standard and BonCap