The News24 Business Awards – focused on areas such as costs, client service and claims – has named the largest self-administered medical scheme in SA as the nation’s best
Bestmed Medical Scheme, the fourth largest open medical scheme and the largest self-administered medical scheme in the country, has been honoured with the News24 Medical Scheme of the Year award, at the 2024 News24 Business Awards.
These awards recognise client satisfaction scores surveyed from more than 4 000 subscribers, along with their assessment of the offering, among other criteria, and cover multiple sectors, including banking, insurance, and healthcare.
Focused on a range of criteria, including customers’ satisfaction with key issues like costs, and client service and claims, the awards also consider the company’s transparency / communication with clients, overall contribution to South Africa, shareholder value creation and business performance. These elements are also evaluated by News24’s financial reporters, as well as fund managers and analysts – with results ultimately audited by an actuarial consultant.
This year, Bestmed took the coveted Medical Scheme Award notably because of the outstanding feedback from its clients in a survey of thousands of News24 readers, especially when it came to its claim process and communication. News24 journalists also gave Bestmed a very high score for how easy it is to understand what is covered and for value for money.
“Bestmed is truly proud to be named Medical Scheme of the Year, particularly based on criteria that are so client-focused,” says Leo Dlamini, CEO and Principal Officer of Bestmed Medical Scheme. “These awards celebrate the best in corporate South Africa, and we are pleased to have been recognised for our efforts in this space. We have always believed in great member experience, value for money offerings and making a difference in the communities in which we operate.”
Awards of this nature are nothing new to the Scheme, which has received many similar accolades in recent years. Bestmed was voted, for a second successive time, as the leader in the South African medical scheme industry when it comes to customer satisfaction, according to the most recent SA Customer Satisfaction Index (SA-csi). Last year, Bestmed also received the Board of Health Funders’ Titanium Award for Excellence in Creating Access to Quality Healthcare – this, for the third consecutive time. Bestmed was also voted first in 2020 and 2022, and second in 2023, for customer experience in the Ask Afrika Orange Index® benchmark’s medical aid category.
“Members are at the centre of everything that we do. Our ‘Personally Yours’ promise is a commitment to consistently providing our members with the highest quality service, while also offering value for money. This award affirms our conviction and energises us to maintain the focus on member experience and value-for-money offerings. This will continue to set Bestmed apart as a healthcare funder of choice,” concludes Dlamini.
About Bestmed
Bestmed Medical Scheme is the largest self-administered medical scheme in South Africa. Bestmed’s “Personally Yours” philosophy leads the way in the medical aid industry. Bestmed’s membership offerings include 14 unique plans, designed to suit the needs of members. Beneficiaries have access to a network of more than 18 000 healthcare professionals countrywide. The Scheme’s head office is based in Tshwane (Gauteng). Bestmed has satellite offices in Nelspruit, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Polokwane. For more information visit www.bestmed.co.za
