Is the Medical Industry taking us for a ride?

[V12man]

HAUW!

So that basically is cover that will payout to patients if the doctor makes a stuff up?

Maybe..... - generally will only pay only if malpractice is involved.... it's about as clear as mud sometimes...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

HAUW!

So that basically is cover that will payout to patients if the doctor makes a stuff up?

 

It's basically there to protect gross negligence and/or malpractice and the psychological / physiological ramifications thereof. LOADS of nerves there for, well, erm... stimulating.

[DJR]

The profitability of our private medical practitioners is not at all good. (I hear stories of some practices writing off 20 - 40% of turnover as bad debts.) That is why you see so many leaving SA. Both young and old. They leave because they can no longer make a decent living here. That is also why so many work part time overseas. The reason for this is simply that fees are too low and have been kept artificially low by the medical aid companies, despite escalating overheads. Also, the state has decided to make private practice as difficult as possible to encourage doctors to work for them rather. That failed due to horrible working conditions, despite state doctors earning much better salaries than in years gone by.

 

The profitability of our private hospitals, however, seems to be pretty good. This is where the bulk of your medical spending go (corporate hospital groups). Whether this will continue with more state interference, remains to be seen.

 

The profitability of our medical aid industry was a bit problematic in the past, but they seem to have pulled through. With the upcoming National Health Insurance though, the future is seriously uncertain.

 

What advice do I have?

 

Don't get sick! Have enough money! Have enough insurance! Search for quality care! Pay for that quality!

 

(My 2c)