Nedgroup Medical Aid Scheme (NMAS) has been amalgamated with Bonitas Medical Fund. This website will be available until end-April 2022, when the amalgamation wind-down period comes to an end and all claims still payable by NMAS for 2021 have been processed.
Outstanding 2021 claims and PMSA balances
Dear ex-NMAS member
We wish you a healthy 2022, and all the best with your new scheme membership! To help tie up any loose ends, this letter explains –
- how you should go about claiming outstanding 2021 invoices, and
- what will happen to positive balances in members’ Personal Medical Savings Accounts (PMSA), if relevant.
If you have medical claims from 2021 that must still be submitted
By now you have been registered on your new medical scheme and can claim from this new scheme for medical services and products you receive from 1 January 2022 onwards.
However, remember that any qualifying medical services and products that you received in 2021 but for which you have not yet claimed, must still be claimed from Nedgroup Medical Aid Scheme (NMAS).
As there is a limited period during which these claims will be processed, this is a friendly reminder of how you can submit your claims, and by when you need to do so.
How do I submit outstanding claims for 2021?
- Check that the invoice reflects your NMAS membership number and that all your details are correct.
- Submit your invoice to NMAS using one of the following email addresses:
nedgroup.newclaims@medscheme.co.za
nedgroup.enquiries@medscheme.co.za
refundmember@medscheme.co.za - If you have already paid the account, clearly write “Account Paid” on the invoice and attach the receipt.
By when do I need to have submitted all outstanding claims for 2021?
To ensure that your claims are processed before the wind-down deadline of 30 April 2022, please submit all your outstanding 2021 claims before 6 April 2022.
If you have a positive balance in your PMSA once all claims have been settled
To ensure that outstanding claims can still be covered in accordance with the Scheme’s rules, PMSA balances (for those members who were on NMAS Plans with a savings component) will be kept at NMAS until the end of April 2022.
After this date any positive balance will be –
- transferred to the amalgamation scheme, Bonitas, who will transfer the savings balance to these members’ new medical scheme if they selected or were defaulted to a scheme option with a medical savings account, or
- paid out to these members by the end of May 2022, if they selected a scheme option without a savings account.
If you have any questions or concerns about your outstanding 2021 claims, or PMSA balance, please contact NMAS by emailing nedgroup.enquiries@medscheme.co.za, or calling 0860 100 080.
Want to contact Bonitas Medical Fund?
Website: www.bonitas.co.za
Telephone: 0860 002 108
Whatsapp: 0600 702 491
Other contact details: www.bonitas.co.za/contact
Amalgamation approved
In the meantime, both NMAS and Bonitas have been hard at work behind the scenes to ensure that the transfer goes as smoothly as possible.
In the case of members transferring to our chosen amalgamation partner, Bonitas, the transition should be seamless, as both are administered by Medscheme. As a reminder, see this fact sheet for more Bonitas offerings.
You can find all the information you need about the amalgamation, as well as handy decision-making tools and links, here.
The option selection closing date is 26 November 2021.
Nedbankers
Please use the Employee Portal to select your new option.
Pensioners and OMI employees
Please use this link to select your new option.
Bonitas aims to offer you the best support and service
Additional benefits for added value
Bonitas believes in giving you more value for money by providing you and your beneficiaries with additional benefits, over and above your savings, day-to-day, and other benefits.
Examples of these benefits are:
- Flu, pneumococcal, and Covid-19 vaccines
- HIV, Mammogram, Prostate, Stool, and three Covid-19 tests
- Two Covid-19 screening (including virtual) consultations by a GP, specialist, or nurse.
- A wellness screening, which is a free annual check-up that includes blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and cholesterol measurements. By completing a wellness screening or online wellness assessment, you automatically activate your Benefit Booster, which opens up to R2 730 in additional benefits. You can use this additional benefit to visit a GP, biokineticist, dietician or physiotherapist, or to go for blood tests and x-rays, or to get medicine.
- Our Maternity Programme, which offers expectant members support and pregnancy education during their maternity journey. The programme includes weekly stage- appropriate SMSs, online antenatal classes, health advice, and more. As a pregnant member you also get a beautiful baby bag to congratulate you on the arrival of your bundle of joy. All members who are at least 24 weeks pregnant may register for the Bonitas baby bag.
You can access your medical aid benefits and more, anywhere you go, anywhere you are and at any time when you download or register on our various platforms.
Bonitas website for information
You can find more information about Bonitas options and benefits on www.bonitas.co.za.
MemberZone for access to information, authorisations and more
The Bonitas MemberZone allows members to:
- Manage membership information 24/7, on any device
- Access their electronic membership card and email it to dependants or doctors
- View benefits
- Look up, query and submit claims
- Apply for chronic medication
- Apply for hospital pre-authorisation
- Submit queries
- Update contact details
- View brochures, how-to guides and more
- Access Pharmacy Direct to manage your chronic profile and submit prescriptions
Member App for managing your medical aid on the go
The app is designed to enrich the lives of Bonitas members and is packed with functionality that allows them to do so much more, all from the palm of their hand. In addition, it gives Bonitas another way to stay connected and communicate with members.
Let’s look at what the Member App will offer you if you move to Bonitas:
- Arrange virtual consultations with a doctor through virtual care;
- View the balance of your savings and other benefits;
- Submit your prescription to Pharmacy Direct for chronic medicine delivery;
- Use the chat function to interact with the Bonitas support team; and
- Easily find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies on our network.
In addition, the Member App can help you to manage your health and lifestyle:
- Get a health score for yourself and each of your dependants;
- Receive nudges to educate and guide you to a healthier lifestyle;
- Earn badges (and bragging rights!) for completing health questionnaires or a health risk assessment;
- Get access to bespoke eating plans from EatForLife;
- Access virtual gym sessions; and
- Access Avo by Nedbank, which offers you:
- Great deals across groceries, tech, professional home services, takeaways, prepaids, and so much more
- Discounted deals from more than 20 000 different merchants
- 1% cashback on all purchases
- Free delivery on orders over R450.
The Bonitas Member App is available for free, from the various device app stores.
WhatsApp for instant help
This simple, reliable platform gives you another self-service channel to access your medical aid information and get in touch with us. But you can do much more than chat with Bonitas via WhatsApp, as it also offers you the ability to:
- Get your statement;
- View claims for the last 90 days;
- Download your tax certificate;
- Save your electronic membership card;
- Submit a claim;
- Chat to a support agent to resolve queries; and
- Access Covid-19 information and a symptom-checker.
Registered on a managed care programme?
In the meantime, we share a message from Bonitas below. This is specifically for members on NMAS managed care programmes who have already chosen to transfer to Bonitas, or are thinking of doing so. (There is also specific communication for members currently registered on NMAS managed care programmes here.)
Dear NMAS Member
We would love to welcome you as a member of Bonitas , and undertake to continue the high level of care and support that you have become accustomed to as a NMAS member.
We pride ourselves on offering our members excellent service and benefits. Our members are the most important part of our business, and we work tirelessly to ensure their complete satisfaction. We look forward to providing you with quality healthcare, service excellence and support.
We offer more specific information on the various managed care programmes below, for ease of reference. You can also download and refer to this handy list of Designated Service Provider contact numbers into the future.
HOW WILL I BE AFFECTED IF I MOVE TO MY DEFAULT (OR A HIGHER) BONITAS OPTION AND …
… I am currently registered on the NMAS chronic medicine management programme
If you have a valid authorisation for chronic medicine, this will automatically be carried over to your Bonitas membership until 30 June 2022. The dispensing pharmacy will require a current copy (not older than 6 months) of your prescription. After this date the relevant Bonitas Scheme Rules will apply. If there are any changes to the funding of your authorisation or medication, Bonitas will communicate these changes and the process to be followed to you.
… I am currently registered on the NMAS HIV management programme (AfA)
Your registration will automatically be carried over to your new Bonitas membership. If there are any changes to the funding of your authorisation or medication, Bonitas will communicate these changes and the process to be followed to you.
… I am currently registered on a NMAS managed care programme with treatment that will extend into 2022
If you are currently registered on a NMAS managed care programmes that extends into the new benefit year, for example, the Weight Loss Management Programme, Mental Health Programme, Diabetes Management Programme or the GoSmokeFree Programme, these registrations will be carried over onto your Bonitas membership until the existing treatment end date.
… I am currently pregnant
If you are currently expecting a baby and have received a confinement approval from NMAS, your hospital authorisation will be carried over on Bonitas for your peace of mind. You may also still consult with the gynaecologist who is currently supporting you during your pregnancy, subject to available benefits.
… I am currently registered on the NMAS oncology management programme
Your registration will automatically be carried over to your new Bonitas membership. If there are any changes to the funding of your authorisation or medication, Bonitas will communicate these changes and the process to be followed to you.
… I am admitted to hospital and remain there after 31 December 2021
Your NMAS hospital authorisation will be carried over to your new Bonitas membership. Any authorisations issued in 2021 for 2022 will also be carried over to your new Bonitas membership.
HOW WILL I BE AFFECTED IF I MOVE TO A LOWER BONITAS OPTION THAN MY DEFAULT OPTION
You will not qualify for the grandfathering mandate and your cover will be subject to the Bonitas scheme rules from 1 January.
We have taken every reasonable measure to ensure that all processes will be managed with as little impact and inconvenience as possible to members transferring from NMAS to Bonitas.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call us on 0860 002 108.
Kind regards
Bonitas Medical Fund
AMALGAMATION: What if you do not choose an option?
The Bonitas options have been selected to best meet the needs of the typical member on each of the NMAS Plans, as shown below:
Remember, however, that you will be able to choose a benefit option from the entire Bonitas range of fourteen benefit options, and that you can also choose from the options on the other medical schemes made available by the Employers.
You are encouraged to study all relevant amalgamation material, and to consult Alexander Forbes Health, who is available to help NMAS members with the election of a suitable benefit option, to make sure that you end up with the optimal benefit option for your individual needs and circumstances. The Alexander Forbes call centre contact number is 011 269 2690, or you can e-mail nedbank@aforbes.com (for Nedbank employees and pensioners) or omi@aforbes.com (for Old Mutual Insure employees and pensioners).
How to choose a medical scheme option other than your default option shown above
Nedbankers
Please use the Employee Portal to select your new option.
Pensioners and OMI employees
Please use this link to select your new option.
Nedbank and Old Mutual Insure have confirmed that pensioner members who qualify for the post-retirement medical (PRMA) subsidy and are currently receiving the PRMA subsidy, will continue to receive the PRMA subsidy going forward provided they are members of one of the medical schemes offered by the employer, namely Bonitas Medical Fund, Bestmed Medical Scheme, or Discovery Health Medical Scheme.
Amalgamation update – 18 October 2021
Message from Julia
Excitement is building around the Employers’ offering of compulsory medical aid with choice, and members can soon select their preferred medical scheme and plan option for 2022.
While communication from the Employers and Alexander Forbes covers all the medical schemes and options available, as a Scheme we will focus mainly on Bonitas, as they are our selected amalgamation partner. This does not mean that you will be restricted to Bonitas.
It is important that you take the time to use all the decision-making tools that will be provided to you over the next weeks, so that you can make an informed choice about the medical scheme and option best suited to you and your family’s needs.
You will have between 18 October and 26 November to make your choice. Alexander Forbes Health will be sending out detailed communication, and there will be both online and onsite roadshow sessions to explain members’ options and how to go about exercising choice.
This update offers you links to a range of tools and resources to help you with your decision.
If you are satisfied with the default option for your NMAS Plan, you do not need to do anything, and you will automatically be moved to the default Bonitas Plan.
Yours in health
Julia
Tools to help you decide
This calculator will show you your default Bonitas option, plus your family’s contributions, compared to that of your Bonitas default option. It also shows you what your contributions would be on the two Bonitas options closest to your default option. Click here to use the calculator.
This website offers you more details about the contributions and benefits of all the medical schemes and options available to you. Click here to visit the website.
A range of online and onsite roadshows to explain all the options available to members, and address questions. See more information about, and links to, the roadshows here.
Click here to see how Bonitas can add value to transferring NMAS members.
This website offers detailed information about Bonitas Medical Fund, and the full range of options offered by Bonitas. Click here to visit the Bonitas website.
Recap: Why the Scheme chose Bonitas as amalgamation partner
- Specifically, the registration of NMAS members on chronic medication or a managed care program will automatically be transferred to Bonitas and NMAS members will therefore not have to re-register for these.
- Similarly, members on treatment plans such as an oncology treatment plan, will be able to continue with their treatment plans without any changes.
- NMAS members will also not be required to complete new membership application forms, as all membership details will automatically be carried over to Bonitas. Only members who want to elect a benefit option other than the default option, would need to complete a form to elect their chosen option.
Roadshows: have your 2022 questions answered
Alexander Forbes, who is assisting the Employers in this process by offering advice to members to choose between the options available to them, will be sending out detailed information to all members – please be on the look-out for this from 18 October 2021.
As the Scheme, we will also send you communication aimed at helping you to make an informed decision about your medical scheme options.
Roadshows will be held throughout the country both virtually, and onsite at certain Nedbank, Old Mutual Insure (OMI) and Alexander Forbes sites. Please see the schedule below and save the date!
VIRTUAL SESSIONS
Hosted by Alexander Forbes, covering an overview of all schemes and options available:
| 18 October | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 27 October | 09:00 – 10:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 2 November | 13:00 – 14:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 11 November | 07:30 – 08:30 | Click here to join the session |
| 15 November | 14:00 – 15:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 24 November | 16:30 – 17:30 | Click here to join the session |
| 26 November | 09:00 – 10:00 | Click here to join the session |
Hosted by Bonitas, covering specifically Bonitas options and benefits, for Nedbank employees:
| 18 October | 12:00 – 13:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 28 October | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 4 November | 07:30 – 08:30 | Click here to join the session |
| 11 November | 14:00 – 15:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 16 November | 11:00 – 12:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 23 November | 16:00 – 17:00 | Click here to join the session |
Hosted by Bonitas, covering specifically Bonitas options and benefits, for OMI employees:
| 18 October | 12:00 – 13:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 27 October | 11:00 – 12:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 3 November | 09:00 – 10:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 10 November | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 15 November | 15:00 – 16:00 | Click here to join the session |
| 25 November | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click here to join the session |
ALEXANDER FORBES ONSITE SESSIONS – FOR BOTH EMPLOYED AND PENSIONER MEMBERS
These sessions will be hosted at various Alexander Forbes sites across the country, from 9:00 to 15:00 each day.
GAUTENG
|
21 October 25 October 4 November 10 November 15 November 25 November |
Alexander Forbes Sandton, 115 West Street, Sandown |
|
29 October 11 November 26 November |
Alexander Forbes Pretoria, 180-197 Amarand Ave, Waterkloof Glen |
KWAZULU-NATAL
|
22 October 27 October 3 November 10 November 17 November 22 November |
Alexander Forbes Umhlanga, Ridge Office Estate, 10 Torsvale Cres, Torsvale Park, La Lucia |
WESTERN CAPE
|
26 October 3 November 10 November 17 November 22 November |
Alexander Forbes Cape Town, Block A, The Boulevard, Searle Street, Woodstock, Cape Town |
EASTERN CAPE
|
27 October 11 November |
Alexander Forbes Port Elizabeth, 256 Cape Rd, Greenacres, Gqeberha |
|
28 October 11 November |
Alexander Forbes East London, 1st Floor Shortmill House, The Quarry, Berea, East London |
FREE STATE
|
27 October 11 November |
Alexander Forbes Bloemfontein, 101 Olympus Drive, Pentagon Park, Bloemfontein |
NEDBANK ONSITE SESSIONS – FOR NEDBANK EMPLOYEES ONLY
These sessions will be hosted at various Nedbank sites countrywide and will be open to Nedbank employees only. Unless specified otherwise, these sessions will be open from 9:00 to 15:00 each day. Covid protocols will be in place. Remember to pre-screen before you go.
| BUILDING | DATES |
| 135 Rivonia |
19 October 2 November 16 November 23 November |
| 105 West |
28 October 17 November |
| Newtown Junction |
20 October 26 October 9 November 22 November |
| Lakeview |
22 October 18 November |
| Menlyn Maine |
27 October 12 November |
| Kingsmead |
19 October 2 November 16 November 23 November |
| Park Square |
06:00 – 19:00 20 October 26 October 9 November 24 November |
| Pietermaritzburg |
21 October 19 November |
| Clocktower |
2 November 23 November |
| Plattekloof |
22 October 18 November |
| Breda | 16 November |
| Stellenbosch | 17 November |
| George | 19 November |
| 270 Cape Road |
2 November 16 November |
| Polokwane | 10 November |
| Bloemfontein |
29 October 24 November |
| Rustenburg | 12 November |
| Nelspruit | 18 November |
OLD MUTUAL INSURE (OMI) ONSITE SESSIONS – FOR OMI EMPLOYEES ONLY
These sessions will be hosted at the following OMI sites and will be open to OMI employees only. Unless specified otherwise, these sessions will be open from 9:00 to 15:00 each day. Covid protocols will be in place. Remember to pre-screen before you go.
| BUILDING | DATES |
| Parktown |
3 November 8 November 19 November |
| Pretoria | 17 November |
| Westville |
5 November 18 November |
Outcome of vote and next steps
The majority of member votes were in favour of amalgamation.
Thank you to each member who took the time to study the communication that the Scheme sent out about a proposed amalgamation with Bonitas Medical Fund, and especially to those who took an active part in voting.
Seventy five percent (75%) of the NMAS Scheme members who voted, voted in favour of amalgamation.
The next step is a formal period for inspection of the exposition document by all stakeholders.
As part of the regulatory process, the exposition document is open for inspection for 21 days from 5 August to 3 September 2021. It will then be open for comment for a further 21 days from 6 September to 5 October 2021. The exposition document is available on the following websites:
- The Council for Medical Schemes’ website: www.medicalschemes.co.za
- Bonitas Medical Fund’s website: www.bonitas.co.za
- Nedgroup Medical Aid Scheme’s website: www.nmas.co.za
If you have any objections and/or comments about the amalgamation, you may email these – by no later than 5 October – to one of the following email addresses:
- The Registrar of Medical Schemes: information@medicalschemes.co.za
- The Principal Officer, Nedgroup Medical Aid Scheme: julial@nedbank.co.za
- The Principal Officer, Bonitas Medical Fund: lee@bonitas.org.za
The timing of the proposed amalgamation is out of the Scheme’s hands.
Although the intention is for the amalgamation to be finalised in time for members to move across to the new medical scheme on 1 January 2022, this will depend on the regulatory authorities making their decisions within certain time frames. If necessary, we will continue with the Scheme as a going concern into 2022, until such a time that we can move members across to their new medical scheme. We will keep you informed of progress every step of the way.
We will continue to keep you updated.
Even though this change is a welcome one to most members, any change is stressful, especially if it is coupled with uncertainty. The Trustees and Scheme management are also not sure of the exact timing of certain events, since so much depends on the actions of the regulatory authorities. What we are certain about, however, is that we will share all relevant information with you as soon as we have it available. If you have any questions about the proposed amalgamation that you need answered in the meantime, please email me at julial@nedbank.co.za.
Employer communication
It is currently extremely difficult to get printed communication to pensioners without email addresses. We will post all updates from the employer in this section so that we can send an SMS with a link and hopefully reach more members.
Proposed amalgamation with Bonitas
This webpage aims to equip you with all relevant information about the proposed amalgamation of NMAS and the Bonitas Medical Fund. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
COMMUNICATION UPDATE – 19 JULY 2021
Principal members are encouraged to study the following documents carefully before voting.