Medical aid administrator Medscheme has launched a low-cost Internet access offering, as part of its new loyalty programmes and e-business strategy.
The new offering makes Internet access and 10 e-mail addresses available via Internet Solutions (IS) from R59 a month, and is available to all Medscheme members, accredited brokers and service providers. Faster browsing and other options such as Web site hosting are available at a higher rate.
In promoting its new role as an Internet service provider, Medscheme Club says it wants to add value for stakeholders by giving them access to the best resources available in terms of communication, science and technology.
Medscheme Strategic CIO Hankie Vogel says the service is part of Medscheme`s strategy to add value for clients. "We believe the service is very reasonably priced, because we are subsidising some of the costs involved, such as administration and billing."
For Medscheme, a major advantage is that the new service also encourages those who do not currently have Internet access to sign up, and make use of Medscheme`s online services, such as statement queries. In addition, says Vogel, the new offering is expected to help generate new business for Medscheme.
Medscheme Diversification Division MD Clive Stuart says the Internet access offering is expected to bring in around 100 000 subscribers within the first six months. "We have around a million families belonging to Medscheme - many of them in the previously disadvantaged sector. This offering is intended to make it cost-effective for them to get online. It is also intended to encourage doctors who are not yet using the Internet to do so."
Stuart says the offering to doctors came as a result of a query by a doctors` organisation, SAMDP, which represents many doctors who still do not use the Internet. "With this in mind, we are negotiating a deal involving IS, Siemens, Healthbridge and four specialist software suppliers, to make a cost-price bundled offer of a PC, software and Internet access to doctors. Around 500 doctors who do not currently use PCs will be given the opportunity to make use of the offer in July this year."
Stuart points out that the offer should encourage doctors to submit their Medscheme claims and queries online, allowing for cost saving and more efficiency for both doctors and administrators.
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