GEMS REQUEST: COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS FOR THE GEMS 2019 BENEFIT STRUCTURE

Dear SAMA Members,

The Government Employees Medical Scheme has corresponded with SAMA to request inputs from our membership towards benefit changes and enhancements for the 2019 benefit year.

As practitioners working with patients and their struggles on a daily basis, the best recommendations can be made by our private practice membership. Your inputs are valuable.
 
In 2018 SAMA had a similar opportunity to comment, however the request from GEMS came in later and responses from membership were rushed. We did receive a good deal of constructive input from the membership even under these circumstances. This year we have begun engagements earlier and have a significant opportunity for better coordination of inputs.
 
GEMS has indicated that at this stage they do not have their own proposals for benefit enhancements and will seriously consider those received from their stakeholders.
 
The request letter and last year's SAMA Submission (towards the 2018 benefits) are attached.
Please send your suggestions and proposals to Shelley McGee at shelleym@samedical.org by Monday 7 May 2018 so we can submit to GEMS by their deadline.

Kind Regards
The SAMA Private Practice Department