Press Release 12 of 2022: CMS releases its 2021/22 Annual Report
The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) today presented its 2021/22 Annual Report to parliament’s Health Portfolio Committee. The report unpacks CMS’ strategic, operational, and financial performance in regulating the 72 medical scheme-strong industry in the 2021/22 financial year.
Speaking to the committee, Dr Sipho Kabane, Chief Executive and Registrar highlighted CMS’ achievements whilst being on the pulse of a sector worth over R225 billion. “The organisation achieved 83,3% of its strategic outcomes and also received an unqualified audit outcome from the Auditor-General,” said Dr Kabane.
Medical scheme membership saw a slight increase by 0,5% to 8,9 million beneficiaries. “We welcome this shift in membership in a tough economy coupled with unemployment.” The CMS regulates 72 medical schemes, 27 administrators, 44 managed care organisations, over 2000 brokerages, and 7000 individual brokers.
In ensuring compliance with the Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998) (MSA) the organisation undertook governance interventions that included the removal of trustees, curatorship monitoring and board evaluations. “CMS’ exemption for virtual Annual General meetings allowed it to oversee 51 medical scheme AGMs online whilst routine inspections were also digitised.”
On resolving medical scheme member complaints consistent with CMS’ mandate, Dr Kabane advanced that there was a reduction in the complaints backlog. “There was a concerted effort in strengthening early initiation of complaints investigations together with focused monitoring of complaints trends, particularly with recurrent contraventions from regulated entities,” said Dr Kabane.
In support of National Health Policy, the CMS published six research papers on benefit packages, COVID-19, and marketing expenditure topics. The CMS also participated in local and international conferences and published a book chapter on primary healthcare.
The CMS Annual Report can be downloaded here.
Download the Press Release here.
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Issued by:
Mr Zongezile Baloyi
Executive: Corporate Services
