adminGibson Mhaka
IN a bid to offer easier access and affordable healthcare services to its subscribing members without or with minimal shortfalls, Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) has introduced a Premier Express Network, which is a multi-disciplinary network of healthcare providers who are distributed across all the country’s provinces.
The network consists of over 1 000 providers, which include among others: primary healthcare facilities, general practitioners, specialist practitioners, hospitals both private and public, diagnostic services, pharmacies and dental practitioners.
In an interview at their stand at the just-ended 63rd edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), PSMAS Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager, Paidamoyo Chipunza said to ensure healthcare services remain affordable to its members, PSMAS has negotiated with providers in this network to reduce or eliminate shortfalls.
“Our concept during this year’s edition of the ZITF was to promote member education because we have realised that most of our members they do not understand and appreciate the concept of medical aid and also the PSMAS products and services themselves.
“For example one of the products that we are marketing during this trade showcase is the Premier Express Network which is a multi-disciplinary network of healthcare service providers which offers services to subscribing PSMAS members without or with minimal shortfalls. These work with PSMAS who are ready to accept the PSMAS card anytime.
“The network consists of over 1 000 providers which include among others: primary healthcare facilities, general practitioners, specialist practitioners, hospitals both private and public, diagnostic services, pharmacies and dental practitioners,” said Chipunza.
She said PSMAS members can get express access to healthcare services by presenting a valid membership card or membership certificate to the service provider.
“Members can also get biometric authentication at the point of service. In the same vein, providers go through a quality check process to guarantee quality of services rendered to patients,” she said.
Chipunza said in a bid to bring healthcare closer to their members, providers enlisted on the Premier Express Network were distributed across all the geographical locations of the country.
“We have come up with a list of service providers across Zimbabwe and our members get to enjoy the following benefits from the Premier Express Network: Minimal or no shortfalls at the point of accessing services, guaranteed access to quality healthcare services and access to PSMAS wellness and disease management programmes such as wellness screenings, women’s health, and chronic care programmes.
‘While members are free to seek services from providers outside the network, they may be requested to pay cash for the services rendered, which they claim from the Society and are reimbursed according to scheme rules,” said Chipunza.
She adds: “We also have a number of educational activities that we are running on radio where we are trying to promote education and medical aid awareness to all Zimbabweans including PMAS members. On those programmes we are talking of medical aid in general but also the PSMAS products and services.
We are also using the newspapers to disseminate this information to the generality of Zimbabweans again on the same concept of medical aid.
“Exhibitions is another platform that we are also using, not only ZITF but all other exhibitions in the country talk of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) and other provincial exhibitions.
“We are also going to have road shows where we are going to engage with communities directly also educating them on medical aid and PSMAS products and services”.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
