We have therefore undergone a strategic and creative process to refresh our brand and improve our policy options. So, we are pleased to inform you that we will offer even more choice and added benefits from 1 October 2011. Unless you request an upgrade, it is important to note that your current benefits and premium remain the same.

Our new look
Very soon, you will receive your new Essential Med policy ID card, car window sticker and information letter and leaflet in the post. Please note that the new ID card will replace your current card.

Opportunity to upgrade
The documentation and our new-look website, which will be live from 1 October, will detail our new policy options, product info and procedures. Once you have had the opportunity to read the material and visit our website, you are welcome to call us if you wish to upgrade your cover.

Personal service
We value and thank you for your loyalty and assure you of our ongoing service. Please contact us on 0861 632 123 or visit our website to see how we insure your health to ensure a life uninterrupted.

Kind regards

Client Services
Essential Med

Your monthly premium will increase from July. You can view the latest premiums on our website.

Please note that we have done everything possible to keep this increase to the very minimum, without compromising on our quality of service or the medical care provided through our trusted network of medical practitioners. Our products remain competitively priced and we are proud to continue providing affordable and valuable medical cover to our many valued clients.

We thank you for your continued support and reaffirm our commitment to providing value-for-money medical insurance services to protect your most valuable asset – your personal health.

Kind regards

Lee Rodgers
Operations Manager

1) Notification of change of collection agent

We have appointed a new collection agent for our premium collections. With effect from 1 May 2011, Insurance Outsource Managers (Pty) Ltd will be doing the collection of our premiums.

2) Notification of increase in cover

We are pleased to inform you that we have successfully negotiated an increase on certain benefits of the Essential Med Hospital Insurance Plan policy. Our new Insurance Risk Carrier, Sanlam Developing Markets Limited, has agreed to increases relating to the Hospitalisation Illness section of your policy.

With effect from 1 June 2011, the following increased insurance cover and benefits shall be available to the insured persons:

Illness Top-up

The additional illness protection benefit payable per annum will increase to R25 000 for a Single member and up to R40 000 for a Family, payable if the daily cash benefits are insufficient to cover hospital costs. This benefit is subject to a 3-month waiting period from 1 June 2011 and an excess of R2 000 applies for each and every occurrence.

3) Notification of change where a policyholder has Medical Insurance or Medical Aid with another company

If you have a medical insurance policy and/or medical aid with another financial service provider, and that policy/scheme covers you and your family (ie the insured person/s) for the defined events that give rise to a medical expense claim under the policy, Essential Med shall be liable to make good only the rateable portion of the amount payable by you/to you/on your behalf in respect of such an insured event.

The daily in-hospital benefit will be limited to actual medical expenses up to the maximum of the daily in-hospital benefit. The actual medical expenses to be applied will be those not paid by any other insurer and or medical aid scheme.

Please click to view the Disclosure required in terms of the Financial Advisory & Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act37 of 2002, with the contact details of the Underwriter and Insurance Risk Carrier.

We thank you for your continued valued support. If you have any queries or would like any further information, please contact us on 0861 632 123.

Best regards

Client Services
Essential Med

Underwriters are effectively the ‘risk managers’ for the short term insurance industry of which we are a part. They evaluate the risk profile of applications and monitor the claims experience with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the products offered by the insurer.

Although our change from one underwriter to another will not impact service delivery, policy pricing or the benefits associated with your policy; Essential Med is a registered Financial Services Provider (FSP) and therefore subscribes to the provisions of the Short-term Insurance Act, which in turn requires that you be informed of this proposed change and given the opportunity to request further information or lodge an objection.

How will this impact me?

The proposed move will not in any way impact the day-to-day administration of your policy, the provision of medical services or the associated policy benefits and cover.

What do I need to do?

You need not take any action to ensure the continued and uninterrupted medical care that you enjoy through Essential Med.

On changing our underwriter, we will issue you with a new policy schedule and policy number, as well as a new product guide and membership card. Your policy and benefits will continue, uninterrupted, while this process is underway.

Will there be any costs for me?

No, the costs will be carried by Essential Med and the new insurer.

Queries or objections:

- Should you require further information, please contact our call centre at 0861632123.
- Should you wish to lodge an objection, please submit same via registered post to PO Box 1058, Cape Gate, 7562, no later than 31 March 2011.

Essential Med believes that this move will bring enhanced underwriting services and contribute significantly to improved service delivery.

We assure you that we are acting in your best interests and that you will continue to enjoy the benefits of affordable and essential medical cover.

Lee Rodgers
Operations Manager