THE UCT Council has approved a recommendation made by the Healthcare Consultative Forum (HCCF) that UCT move to Discovery Health Medical Scheme as sole healthcare provider with effect from 1 January 2003.

As previously communicated through the Monday Paper, UCT is currently involved in a healthcare strategy project. The first part of the project involved the identification and assessment of problems currently being experienced by UCT in providing healthcare benefits to staff and retired personnel.

This was achieved by holding discussion groups with UCT employees and retirees in respect of healthcare benefits, and performing an independent survey of opinions of key personnel, either directly or indirectly involved in the healthcare environment of UCT.

The HCCF, which includes representatives from all staff bodies and UCT pensioners, used this information in its investigation of other possible healthcare providers and in its final recommendation of Discovery Health. The adoption of Discovery Health as UCT's healthcare provider is seen as an initial move to address the problems and needs highlighted in the investigation. The next phase of the project is to investigate a long-term healthcare strategy, taking into account the constraints and complexities of the current South African healthcare environment.

Discovery Health has a good track record of membership growth, moderate annual contribution increases and appear to display a deep understanding of the financial and actuarial management of the healthcare business. The Discovery Health philosophy in the design and provision of healthcare benefits also complements the vision of a longer term integrated approach in terms of organisational health at UCT.

Dave van Eeden, Executive Director of Human Resources, held a discussion forum with representatives of all staff bodies prior to the decision being finalised.

Detailed communication from HR will be sent to all staff members shortly which will include the following information:

• reasons for the move to Discovery Health;
• details on information sessions which will commence at the end of October;
• the process for submission of option choice by members for 2003.

Member information packs containing detailed information on 2003 benefits and contributions together with option forms will be sent by UCT to members in October 2002. Information sessions commence at the end of October on all UCT campuses. No information is available yet on the detail of benefits and contributions for 2003.

– Judith du Toit
Remuneration and HR Policy

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