THE Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) has ordered Cimas Medical Aid Society to desist from unfair business practices after an investigation revealed that the society was shortchanging members seeking medical cover.
Staff Reporter
According to the latest Government Gazette, the CTC launched a probe into Cimas after it emerged that the firm was reportedly forcing patients to undergo dialysis procedure from one service provider.
The investigation revealed that the medical aid society was engaged in restrictive practices through declining or refusing to reimburse medical claims made by its members for dialysis procedures done at B Braun Avenues Dialysis Centre while at the same time directing members to Harare Haemodialysis Centre, where Cimas has a controlling stake.
“The restrictive practices being engaged in by Cimas are contrary to the public interest in terms of Section 32 of the Act in as far as they stifle competition, restrict consumers’ right of choice, prevent reduction in costs for dialysis procedures and prevent the development of new techniques in dialysis procedures being brought in by the entry of B Braun Avenues Dialysis Centre in the provision of dialysis procedure market,” reads the Government Gazette in part.
“In order to remedy the established restrictive practice, the Commission resolved that Cimas Medical Aid Society desist from directing its members for dialysis procedures to a specific service provider from date of publication of this order and that Cimas Medical Aid Society honours and reimburses all medical claims made by its members for dialysis procedures done at any dialysis centre in Zimbabwe at the same rate it is reimbursing medical claims by its members for dialysis procedures done at Parirenyatwa Dialysis Centre from November 8, 2010, that being the date the commission’s provisional order expires.”
Recent reports have also shown that members have expressed outrage over the medical aid society’s claims cost rationalisation that has resulted in the medical aid society providing cover for hospital expenses not exceeding two days for a normal maternity delivery.
