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Category:
Insurance
News /
Medical
Schemes /
Medicover
/ July 2006
Medicover offers brokers a better
deal
Traditionally Medicover was known to
brokers as a “government” oriented medical scheme. Up to 2005 a very
specific broker network was selling mainly to the government sector on
an individual basis.
 In 2005, as part of the drive to
improve service levels Medicover made internal structural changes to its
operating division, implemented new systems and upgraded the membership
and call centre divisions. A concerted effort was made to enhance the
service levels within the organization. For this purpose Medicover
linked up with select business partners, in the drive to become one of
the best open schemes in the country.
As part of the refocusing process,
Medicover had to change its marketing strategy from targeting government
employees to organizations and private individuals.
To assist brokers in realigning
themselves, Medicover started a broker consulting division, and embarked
on regular regional training sessions for existing brokers. The first
Broker Conference and Medicover Product Launch was held in October 2005
and was received with great enthusiasm.
A regular newsletter now keeps
brokers informed of important issues happening at Medicover, as well as
in the healthcare industry, and a dedicated broker consultant is in the
process of being appointed.
Furthermore Medicover is partnering with NHA and is
currently using the NHA broker management system, Unique Payment
Services (uPs). uPs provides the health insurance industry with
specialist Broker Management and Commission services and helps Medicover
keep their finger on the pulse at all times with respect to their
brokers and, in turn, their members. uPs provide the necessary tools to
keep accreditation up-to-date and to ensure that Medicover stay in line
with required legislation. With their uniquely developed system uPs also
provides an Internet based tool that ensures the ultimate in production,
innovation and motivation and a streamlined reporting system for the
scheme and its brokers.
With
effect from 1 March 2006, uPs is responsible for the following service
to Medicover accredited brokers:
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Reviewing broker contracts
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Checking brokers are licensed in accordance with FSB
code 1/16/a/b
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Notifying brokers when renewed council accreditation is
due
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Monitoring member/broker links
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Calculating commission (to be audited by external
auditors monthly)
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Distributing commission statements
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Responding to broker queries related to commission
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Web activations and Reporting
Medicover’s advantage lies in the
fact that it is a self-administered scheme, so brokers are dealing
directly with the scheme and not with an admin company. It
has the right product mix and the best business partners, but they
realise they need brokers to assist them in selling the product
to the right people. Medicover is well-positioned for this relationship.
Author:
Iselle McCalman
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