The role of the department is to provide technical input on systemic and strategic health industry issues from a medical schemes perspective to:
- Members of BHF
- Stakeholders in the medical schemes industry
- Government
- Consumer representative organisations
- Health service providers
- Regulatory bodies
in such a manner as to protect the interests of medical schemes and their members and fulfil the vision and mission of the BHF
In practical terms this includes:
- The provision of legal and other support and advice concerning the PCNS
- The provision of legal and other support and advice concerning the FMU
- Provision of input into trustee training programmes
- The giving of opinions and views on health policy and health issues from a funder perspective
- Participation in industry meetings in such a manner as to ensure that BHF's views are heard and understood
- The creation and maintenance of relationships with regulatory bodies such as the Department of Health,Council for Medical Schemes, Health Professions Council, National Credit Regulator, Financial Services Board etc
- Raising the level of awareness within the medical schemes industry on issues that are key to their success or survival
- The interpretation and application of proposed, new and existing legislation to the medical schemes industry
- The communication of such interpretations to the medical schemes industry
- Commenting on proposed legislation within the parameters of the legislative process in order to protect the interests of medical schemes and their members
- Representing the views of BHF at industry and government forums on new and existing legislation.