Chronic Medicine - A Guide to registering for chronic medication benefits and ordering your chronic medicine

If you or any of your dependants suffer from any of the chronic conditions listed below and require chronic medication, your doctor must register the affected beneficiary’s disease with the Society by calling 053 807 3593 and obtain authorisation from the Society before prescribing chronic medication.

Once the beneficiary’s disease has been registered and authorisation has been granted, the Society will pay 100% of the cost... Read more ...

Chronic Medication Formulary

A formulary is a list of medicines developed by clinical experts founded on evidence based medicine showing the effectiveness of these medicines in treating a particular disease whilst remaining cost effective. The Society will pay the full cost of such medicines as listed in its formulary to treat a particular chronic disease.

In its drive to continue providing members a cost effective medical aid and to contain contribution increases, the Society constantly reviews the benefits provided as well as any new developments in the industry. Many medical aids now have a chronic medicine formulary in place to ensure that members receive appropriate treatment at a fair and reasonable cost to all members in the scheme. In view of this, the Society will be introducing a medicine formulary for the PMB chronic conditions. The introduction of a formulary will save the Society and its membership approximately R2 million per annum for chronic medicine benefits without compromising the quality of care that members currently receive.

Please note that the Generic Reference Pricing (GRP) practice remains in place. Should a doctor prescribe a medicine from the formulary for which a generic product and price exits, members will be required to switch to the generic product within the formulary in order to avoid any further co-payments as per current practice.

To view the formulary, please click on the link: DBBS Formulary 2012

Cancer Treatment - ICON appointed as Society's Designated Service Provider as from 1 January 2012

The Independent Clinical Oncology Network (ICON) is a nationwide network of specialists in oncology who are committed to widening access to quality cancer care in South Africa. Against a backdrop of escalating healthcare costs, ICON provides innovative, cost-effective oncology services and solutions in the field of managed healthcare. It is unswerving in its aim to reduce wastage and secure the highest quality cancer care for the broadest number of patients. This is a progressive approach that combines population risk management with individualised care. To read more and view the Network of specialists associated to ICON, click on the link: www.cancernet.co.za

Payment Run Dates 2012

A list of the dates when mid-month, month-end and EFT payments will
be made in 2012. Read more ...

Generic Reference Pricing

Aligned to practice employed elsewhere in the medical aid industry, the Society will from 1 January 2010 base its medicine benefits (for both chronic and acute medicines) on the cost of generic medicines (called generic reference pricing - GRP), rather than brand-name medicines. Read the attached article for more information on how GRP will affect you. Read more ...

Member Guide 2012

The De Beers Benefit Society has a long and proud history of offering members a cost-effective and competitive benefit structure. As a member
of the Society you are assured of individual attention, excellent service
and access to private health care for you and your dependants.
Read more ...

Whistle Blowing

A global Fraud and Ethics Hotline Service has been implemented and officially launched in May 2008.  Read more ...

Trustees' Closed User Group

Trustees of the De Beers Benefit Society can log in here to view all the
information that they need to know, to ensure the smooth running of
the Society. Log in here ...