More competitive rates
Firstly, it means you are part of a stronger scheme. As the fourth largest open medical scheme in South Africa, we will be in a better position to offer you competitive pricing. Because of this we've been able to keep average member contribution increases for next year to 10,4%, which is well below the industry average. Remember that the 10,4% is an average so please consult the information pack – currently on its way to you – to check what the contribution for your benefit option will be in 2010. From 2010 larger families will also only pay for the first three child dependants.

More choices
As Liberty Medical Scheme we are also able to offer you a broader range of product and benefit options. There will be nine benefit options in total:

Platinum Complete Platinum Plus Platinum Focus Titan Gold Plus Gold Focus Silver Focus Bona Plus Corporate Network

The Alta and Gold Complete options will be discontinued in 2010, but similar cover is available through one of the other benefit options included. If you are currently an Alta option member you will automatically be defaulted onto the Platinum Complete option and Gold Complete members will automatically be defaulted to the Titan option. However you can choose a different option choice to these two – read the article on "Option Changes for 2010".

Improved benefits
We've also made the following improvements to our benefits:

• Benefit limits on all options have been increased by a minimum of 8.0%
• Medical Savings Facility benefits have been increased by an average of 10.6%
• Cancer-treatment benefits have been improved on all options
• Casualty and Crime Trauma benefits have been introduced on the Titan option
• The overall annual hospital limit on the Titan option is unlimited
• The overall annual hospital limit per beneficiary on the Bona Plus option is now R 860 000.00

We've also negotiated with Clicks, Direct Medicines and Pharmacy Direct to provide you with more afforable chronic medication.

Improved administration
The combined administrative resources of the Medicover and Liberty Health Medical Schemes will allow for enhanced services, and our Contact Centre will be able to resolve your queries faster and more effectively.

Because the Alta and Gold Complete options are being discontinued, Alta members will automatically be defaulted onto the Platinum Complete, while Gold Complete members will automatically be defaulted to the Titan option. However, this will only happen if we do not receive any Option Change form from you. If you are an Alta or a Gold option member and wish to change to a different option please do so by submitting your Option Change form. You can download an Option Change form by clicking here or visit www.libmed.co.za and click on Members, Forms and Guides.

Option changes are only allowed once a year, so please consider your 2010 option choice carefully. If you have any queries, ask your financial advisor about the option that is best suited to you and your family's needs.

Unfortunately violence and crime remain a feature of modern society, but members of Liberty Medical Scheme have access to the Crime Trauma Benefit which provides cover for treatment you may require following a traumatic crime-related event. If you have been the victim of violent crime, the benefit helps you cover the cost of consultations with registered psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers, prophylactic HIV treatment if necessary and rehabilitation directly related to crime trauma

If you have been the victim of crime contact LMS on 0860 002 163. You will need the name of the police station where you reported the crime and the case number for us to process your claim under the Crime Trauma Benefit.

Cool Clicks
Did you know that by logging on to the Liberty Medical Scheme website you can locate a healthcare provider in your area. Simply log in, click on 'Providers' and type in the relevant details. Just one more reason to keep clicking.
www.libmed.co.za