DA calls for investigation into medical aid fraud

Imogen Vollenhoven

18 March 2013

The Democratic Alliance has called for a full investigation into multi-billion rand medical aid fraud. 

The Board of Healthcare Funders Conference revealed that R22 billion medical aid fraud by corrupt medical professionals and hospital officials.

The DA said it will be writing to the Health Professionals Council of South Africa to request an immediate investigation into the medical aid fraud.

DA Shadow Minister of Health Patricia Kopane said these fraudulent activities are costing South Africans thousands of rands more in yearly payments.

Kopane said that consequently less people are now unable to afford the rising cost of healthcare adding more strain on an already stretched public healthcare system.

Furthermore Kopane added that Reports of collated data presented at a Board of Healthcare Funders’ conference revealed that an estimated R22 billion per annum in fraudulent claims.

“It is essential that all those responsible for fraudulently undermining South Africans are to be held accountable for the actions,” Kopane said.