ER24

Medical evacuation deal offers you "realhelprealfast"!

The preferred provider network arrangement that the Society has with Medi-Clinic has resulted in another benefit for Society members.

Thanks to a deal between the Society, Medi-Clinic and ER24, members and their dependants will, from 1 August 2004, have free unlimited access to emergency medical transportation on a 24-hour basis, provided this is authorised by ER24.

Contact Details

084 124 (RSA)
+27 390 1601 (Botswana)
+27 11 847 4424 (Lesotho/Swaziland)
+27 61 230 505 (Namibia)

Where will I enjoy cover?

You and your registered dependants are covered in:

South Africa,
Botswana,
Namibia,
Zimbabwe
Swaziland
Lesotho
Mozambique

Getting help in an emergency - it's your call

In an emergency, it may be difficult to remember even the simplest numbers. For this reason an ER24 and Medi-Clinic stationery pack is included to help you have the emergency number within reach at all times. Included in the pack are two car stickers and two telephone / cell phone stickers. Please contact the Society should you need more stickers.

Make sure that not only you, but also your family members know where to find the number - it could mean the difference between life and death.

What information you need to give ER24 in a medical emergency:

Your personal particulars (and state that you are a De Beers Benefit Society member)
The place and telephone number where you / your dependant(s) involved in the emergency can be reached.
A brief description of the emergency and the nature of the assistance you need.

Call Centre

The ER24 Call Centre is equipped with professionally qualified staff who will react to all medical emergencies timeously, efficiently and competently. They are also equipped with the necessary expertise, experience and skills to assess a medical emergency and dispatch the necessary medical care needed, whether by air or road, to get members and their registered dependants to the nearest hospital where appropriate medical care is available.

Important

Should you request medical transportation in a situation which is not considered to be a medical emergency, you will be advised of this in advance by ER24. There will be no benefit and you will be personally liable to pay the account. Please read the contents of your information pack from ER24 carefully, to fully understand what is covered.

Please note:

ER24's response will only be covered in a medical emergency situation.
Only dependants registered with the Scheme will be eligible.

What qualifies as a 'medical emergency'?

A medical emergency means an accident or illness that requires immediate and/or emergency medical transportation.

ER24 frequently asked questions

What services will ER24 offer me?

24-hour access to the ER24 emergency call centre
Dispatch of emergency response
Emergency telephonic advice
Information and advice hotline
Medical transportation whether by ambulance or aircraft
Inter-hospital transfer

How long will it take for help to reach me in an emergency?

ER24 promises that, from the time the cal is made, help and support is on the way. They commit to doing everything humanly possible to get you real help, real fast.

ER24, by virtue of the number and geographical spread of the partners (hospitals, service providers, etc) involved, will be able to render physical assistance in a short time. ER24 offers "realhelprealfast" because they have suitable facilities around the country and work with a national grouping.

What should I do while waiting for an ambulance?'

Members and their registered dependants will receive emergency medical advice and assistance. ER24's operators will guide you through a medical crisis situation, provide emergency advice and organise for you to receive the support you need - available at all times. If you have called for emergency transportation, ER24 will coach you telephonically on what you should do at the scene of the accident, while you are waiting for the arrival of the response team.

Who will assist me in the event of an emergency?

Assistance is provided by the nearest appropriate service provider - i.e. you will not have to wait for an ambulance to come from a distant, central location. ER24 will dispatch the service nearest to you / the scene of the emergency. They will also send the appropriate rescue service - one that is equipped to deal with your emergency.

Is there a limit on medical transportation?

In the past, you and your dependants' benefit limit for ambulance services was R800 per person per year. Now, with ER24 providing all such medical transportation services, this benefit is no longer limited - provided your medical transport is authorised by ER24.