Circular 4 of 2021: Update on CMS Operations on Level 3 lockdown
The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) supports government’s Alert Level 3 regulations, as the country endures the second COVID-19 wave with increased infections and fatalities. As such, the CMS wishes to update the industry and the public at large of the following:
- COVID-19 vaccine as a PMB
The COVID-19 vaccine has been included in the amended Prescribed Minimum Benefit regulations, approved by the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize. This amendment includes the insertion of the Diagnosis and Treatment Pair in the list of Prescribed Minimum Benefits under the heading “Respiratory System” Treatment: screening, clinically appropriate diagnostic tests, vaccination, medication, medical management including hospitalisation and treatment of complications, and rehabilitation of COVID-19.
- CMS Operations
All CMS personnel are working from home, except when required by the CMS to perform critical tasks, which cannot be carried out from home. All CMS landlines have been rerouted to staff cellphones.
- Complaints
Walk-in complaints are not welcome. Complainants are requested to rather use the online complaints form to submit their complaints with the supporting documentation. The Complaints and Adjudication unit is working tirelessly to see to all complaints lodged during this period.
- Deliveries
Drivers and couriers are required to wear face masks to be admitted to CMS. At all points of entry, hand sanitising (with 60% alcohol based sanitiser), and temperature screening will be mandatory.
- The COVID Alert SA app
The COVID Alert SA app is a Bluetooth tracing app, that informs people when they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. When an app user anonymously reports to the app that they have COVID-19, the COVID Alert SA app sends notifications to those devices that were in close contact with this person’s device.
These exposure notifications warn those app users that they could potentially have been exposed to the virus. App users are guided as to what to do next to optimize their wellbeing and prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus to others. The COVID Alert SA app is available for Android devices on the Google Play store and on the Apple App Store for iPhones.
Finally, the CMS would like to encourage all citizens to continue to practice social distancing, to sanitise and consistently wear a mask.
Download the Circular here