ChrisF Posted January 23 Posted January 23 10 minutes ago, JJDT said: You are 100% correct DH does not actually care about your health and hit the nail on the head regarding just numbers. You need an actual analytical degree to understand the plans on what is covered where... You last sentence is so true... I just call it the other other way around "they are the best of all the bad ones...and No there is not good one..." I was being nice .... 🤣 End 2023 Discovery Health discontinued 3 of the 5 plans that offered extended chronic cover .... I had to do a LOT of homework to figure out what our options were for 2024. Having access to various other medical aid's 2024 numbers I did a much wider comparison .... Still at Discovery Health, on a core plan as part of a network. Litterally opened a Capitec savings account to serve as our MSA .... saving more than R4 000 per year doing it this way.
ChrisF Posted January 23 Posted January 23 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Frosty said: Then there is the pending NHS, or whatever it's called. This really scares me !!! For a moment, forget the rands and cents ..... if we get to a point where you HAVE TO sit in the line and wait for the next available Dr ..... wait months to see a specialist ..... It is easy enough to work around a non-existent Post Office. It is easy enough to work around a useless SABC .... It is costly, but possible, to work around eskom .... Transnet and the harbours may well cause serious damage to our economy .... Already farmers working via Maputo .... waiting to see if the Northern Cape Farmers will start working via Walvisbay .... BUT .... if we get to a point where a Dr MAY NOT assist a patient outside of the NHS .... this is truly a scary thought .... EDIT - the feedback in the media is vastly different to what I am getting from my specialist ..... Seems nobody really knows how the NHS will play out in SA ..... Edited January 23 by ChrisF Frosty 1
Frosty Posted January 23 Posted January 23 4 minutes ago, ChrisF said: Still at Discovery Health, on a core plan as part of a network. Litterally opened a Capitec savings account to serve as our MSA .... saving more than R4 000 per year doing it this way. I worked out that the MSA annual cost was +/- R45k, for me. We spend about R9k on medical costs per year. Sure, the savings add up over time, and you can cash in, but then you have down grade to a non-savings plan for the new year; plus wait 6 months for any outstanding claims.
ChrisF Posted January 23 Posted January 23 1 minute ago, Frosty said: I worked out that the MSA annual cost was +/- R45k, for me. We spend about R9k on medical costs per year. Sure, the savings add up over time, and you can cash in, but then you have down grade to a non-savings plan for the new year; plus wait 6 months for any outstanding claims. Just between the two us .... 😛 My broker prepped me for this one .... 2 January I called Discovery Health and asked that they refund my MSA, without delay. Obviously the call centre operator could not assist ... asked for the supervisor .... all I had to do was confirm that I am liable for all outstanding MSA related claims that may still be submitted. Money was in my account 8 days later. Standard pay out of the MSA is in May. MSA now only draws some 2% interest for the member !! Thanks, but my money is doing much better elsewhere .... Frosty and Vaultboy 2
Frosty Posted January 23 Posted January 23 4 minutes ago, ChrisF said: Just between the two us .... 😛 🤐 😊 ChrisF 1
JJDT Posted January 23 Posted January 23 11 minutes ago, Frosty said: Then there is the pending NHS, or whatever it's called. National Health Insurance There is two huge problems with this NHI and hopefully all the "bad" medical aids will join forces to counter this idea, because it is just another name for Public Healthcare. 1. All the pretty good doctors who is threatening to call it quits and move out is a real threat. We will be at the mercy of the Cuban Dr's and then the it is another problem altogether. 2. I do know the Public Health Care system very well as my mom can not afford medical aid and my brother who is not fit for work that relies on the SASSA disability pension that can not afford a medical aid either. It is not the long queues waiting for medicine and to see a doctor but also medical procedures and dental procedures. My mom fell and broke her hip during the Covid period and waited close to a week for an hip replacement and only because it was really bad. Rewind quite a few years ago she had a mini stroke (not known at that stage) took her to the Public Hospital ER. To make a long story short we arrived at around 9H45 pm and was only admitted to a ward the next morning 4H30. I will rather eat the crap of any medical aid as oppose to the NHI. Frosty, ChrisF, LazyTrailRider and 1 other 2 2
Vaultboy Posted January 23 Posted January 23 (edited) 20 minutes ago, JJDT said: National Health Insurance There is two huge problems with this NHI .... For years, once a month, my dad went to public hospitals for an eye treatment that takes 20 mins to administer, but it takes the whole day to queue, sometimes multiple days if the hospital is full. But it saved his eyesight and it was free. For me, the biggest problem with the NHI is not the idea itself, which is good. But rather that the ANC have a track record of terrible implementation of many other good ideas. Public hospitals have the same calibre doctors who work in private hospitals; in fact you often get the actual same doctors, but public infrastructure and facilities vary wildly. Post-op care etc are the things that concern me most - My aunt paid R500 for a triple bypass...just imagine! But I've lost family to totally preventable issues of sepsis, etc simply because the hospitals don't have the required equipment and facility management; or they chuck you prematurely because they need the bed space. I think the NHI will collapse healthcare in the country, then everyone except the wealthy are screwed. I mean, we have 800 qualified doctors sitting at home, simply because the State can't afford their wages: I’m a medical doctor who graduated cum laude and I can’t get a government job (dailymaverick.co.za) But back to Discovery: I reckon they are vying to be the administrators of the NHI. I'm not so sure that's going to work out that way.... Edited January 23 by Vaultboy ChrisF 1
Shebeen Posted January 23 Posted January 23 1 hour ago, NotSoBigBen said: My weekly goal, points that is, is still on 900 as it has been for a very long time I still get it in 3 rides so I'm good with that .... I'm on the endurance 1200 one. might switch back as i'm doing more short stuff now it seems
Frosty Posted January 23 Posted January 23 13 minutes ago, Vaultboy said: Public hospitals have the same calibre doctors who work in private hospitals; in fact you often get the actual same doctors, but public infrastructure and facilities vary wildly. You should see the public perception of the Alberton Hospital, a Netcare hospital. Lots of complaints about poor care, incompetent staff and doctors, and many other problems. I don't have personal experience, but have heard a number of stories.
JJDT Posted January 23 Posted January 23 9 minutes ago, Vaultboy said: For years, once a month, my dad went to public hospitals for an eye treatment that takes 20 mins to administer, but it takes the whole day to queue, sometimes multiple days if the hospital is full. But it saved his eyesight and it was free. For me, the biggest problem with the NHI is not the idea itself, which is good. But rather that the ANC have a track record of terrible implementation of many other good ideas. Public hospitals have the same calibre doctors who work in private hospitals; in fact you often get the actual same doctors, but public infrastructure and facilities vary wildly. Post-op care etc are the things that concern me most - My aunt paid R500 for a triple bypass...just imagine! But I've lost family to totally preventable issues of sepsis, etc simply because the hospitals don't have the required equipment and facility management; or they chuck you prematurely because they need the bed space. I think the NHI will collapse healthcare in the country, then everyone except the wealthy are screwed. I mean, we have 800 qualified doctors sitting at home, simply because the State can't afford their wages: I’m a medical doctor who graduated cum laude and I can’t get a government job (dailymaverick.co.za) But back to Discovery: I reckon they are vying to be the administrators of the NHI. I'm not so sure that's going to work out that way.... You are correct about the good doctors in Public Health but they are either sitting at home as you mentioned and are of the very few. The very best get to to to the private sector and the other best are trying their utmost best in crooked system. Fortunately my mom had one of these best Dr's trying to make a difference with her hip and she was the exact opposite from the Dr's I dealt with initially when she was admitted to hospital. The other issue you mention is the post-op care and I still need to meet a nurse that really care as most of the nurses I dealt with thinks they are superior to Dr's. These nurses rule everything and does not really care...just a job. This is the 3rd problem the don't care attitude. I'm sure that there are also very good nurses but I still have to meet one.
JJDT Posted January 23 Posted January 23 1 minute ago, Frosty said: You should see the public perception of the Alberton Hospital, a Netcare hospital. Lots of complaints about poor care, incompetent staff and doctors, and many other problems. I don't have personal experience, but have heard a number of stories. There are also some other Netcare Hospitals that also share the same views as above. Private hospitals are also these days not immune to issues. The caring factor disappeared and made way for money only. Frosty and ChrisF 1 1
Vaultboy Posted January 23 Posted January 23 1 hour ago, Frosty said: Some 3 hour weekend rides are too easy, and the speed data gets 100 points. Average HR too low. Spot the HIT session… 45 minutes on IndieVelo 🤦♂️ Back on topic, I started on Vitality last year, and currently am sitting on 900 points. I get 100 points for activities over 30mins at 60%; 200 points for 30 mins at 70% and 300 points for 30 mins at 80% HR, i.e. everything over 30 mins counts - short rides, walks, or gym/strength sessions....I could probably even get it having sex, although I haven't needed points that badly yet. 😅 I get 300 points any ride over 60 mins, even Zone 2, so I assume that I am on the 'Endurance' option by default? I also assume that 300 points is the max, regardless of HR or time, because I also get 300 points for 5-hour rides. Frosty 1
lechatnoir Posted January 23 Posted January 23 11 minutes ago, Vaultboy said: Back on topic, I started on Vitality last year, and currently am sitting on 900 points. I get 100 points for activities over 30mins at 60%; 200 points for 30 mins at 70% and 300 points for 30 mins at 80% HR, i.e. everything over 30 mins counts - short rides, walks, or gym/strength sessions....I could probably even get it having sex, although I haven't needed points that badly yet. 😅 I get 300 points any ride over 60 mins, even Zone 2, so I assume that I am on the 'Endurance' option by default? I also assume that 300 points is the max, regardless of HR or time, because I also get 300 points for 5-hour rides. The endurance option will give you 600pts for 180min @>60% HR. there is a scale, but that's the max you can get. look it up. I found it worthwhile to join. Vaultboy 1
Frosty Posted January 23 Posted January 23 12 minutes ago, Vaultboy said: Back on topic, I get 300 points any ride over 60 mins, even Zone 2, so I assume that I am on the 'Endurance' option by default? I also assume that 300 points is the max, regardless of HR or time, because I also get 300 points for 5-hour rides. If you get 300 points for a 5h ride, you aren’t on the endurance option. You have to apply for it, and you have to be able to ride at a certain km/h average in “qualifying races”. Vaultboy 1
Dexter-morgan Posted January 23 Posted January 23 I am on 1200 points per week, easy to achieve, a nice 3 -4 hour ride on Saturday = 600 points, 1 hour ride on the MTB with the missus Sunday = 300 points, the rest gets made up with weekday rides or steps.
Vaultboy Posted January 23 Posted January 23 8 minutes ago, Frosty said: If you get 300 points for a 5h ride, you aren’t on the endurance option. You have to apply for it, and you have to be able to ride at a certain km/h average in “qualifying races”. How does that work then for XC, where my average speed might be around 16km/h?
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