Johannesburg - Over half of the new members of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems) are getting medical aid cover for the first time, the scheme said on Wednesday.
Gems Trustee Velile Mbethe said they receive over 8 000 new applications for membership every month and have around 1.5 million members currently.
"It is gratifying that many of the scheme's new members are entirely new to the medical schemes market - 54% in fact."
Many schemes have tried over the years to provide benefits that attract lower income members.
"Now Gems is welcoming more and more lower income members, and individuals who have never enjoyed cover before, into its fold," said Mbethe.
The scheme, restricted to government employees, has developed products which appeal to both low and high income earners.
South Africa has about 110 medical schemes, providing cover for an estimated eight million people at a contribution flow of about R80bn, according to the Council for Medical Schemes.
Gems Trustee Velile Mbethe said they receive over 8 000 new applications for membership every month and have around 1.5 million members currently.
"It is gratifying that many of the scheme's new members are entirely new to the medical schemes market - 54% in fact."
Many schemes have tried over the years to provide benefits that attract lower income members.
"Now Gems is welcoming more and more lower income members, and individuals who have never enjoyed cover before, into its fold," said Mbethe.
The scheme, restricted to government employees, has developed products which appeal to both low and high income earners.
South Africa has about 110 medical schemes, providing cover for an estimated eight million people at a contribution flow of about R80bn, according to the Council for Medical Schemes.