100 000 Mark

In just over a year the Government Employees Medical Scheme has become a force to be reckoned with. The 100 000 principal members it now has represent close to 300 000 lives covered and makes GEMS one of the 5 largest medical schemes in the country.

In spite of recently concluding its maiden year of operations, GEMS is already a significant market player that affords it members the benefit of efficient contracting and rigorous preferred provider arrangements. These business strategies compliment the now firmly established operational infrastructure and culture of excellence.

2007 represents a new era of growth and the further implementation of the scheme's mandates, while sharpening focus areas and managerial design. 

Gems' inaugural trustee election process has commenced and the participation by members to date is significant. GEMS members, in line with the requirements of the Medical Schemes Act, are in the process of electing 50% of the trustees to serve on the Board of Trustees. Governed by the scheme's rules, a fair and transparent election process, overseen by an independent body, is underway. "Members will be empowered through the knowledge that the money they entrust to GEMS is looked after and spent with due care, diligence, skill and in good faith," says Dr Watson.

With more than 800 new members registering daily, it is clear that Gems will continue to grow its market presence and transform the health funding landscape for quite some time to come. This transformation is not limited to public service employees though.

Dr Eugene Watson, Principal Officer of GEMS, explains: "Providing more South Africans with quality, yet affordable, healthcare is still a challenge for both GEMS and the entire healthcare industry. The sector needs to attract new lives, increasing both the size of the risk pool as well as the inherent clinical risk profile. Enlarging the risk pool will also increase the total revenue generated which, in turn, will create additional opportunities for all service providers. This will then create business and employment opportunities."

At the Governance and Administration Cluster Media Briefing on 14 February this year, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Minister for Public Service and Administration, reinforced the role of GEMS in the broader public sector domain. "GEMS is an innovative measure that improves the health and well-being of public servants, thereby increasing productivity levels, while also attracting new recruits by way of an attractive employee benefit. In so doing, GEMS assists Government in ensuring that the public sector discharges its responsibilities as a critical player in the growth, reconstruction and development of our country," the Minister said.