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Should you wish to query your medical aid benefits or update your details, please click here.

Contact Details

Customer Call Centre:
0860 002 163

Private Bag X35
Claremont
7735

Tips on colds and flu

Winter is almost upon us and with it the risk of the dreaded flu. Each year, thousands of people become infected with influenza and yet while there is no cure, it is possible to prevent infection. Here are some tips: First understand the difference between colds and flu: generally speaking, a cold will affect the region above your neck giving you a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat and headache. Flu on the other hand affects the entire body, leaving you with a fever, body aches, exhaustion, headaches, coughing and congestion. There is no cure for either colds or flu, but flu should be taken more seriously. Go to bed immediately and rest.

• Prevent cross-infection: with both colds and flu, infection is spread through tiny droplets from the nose and mouth. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid people who are ill and to wash or sterilise your hands often, particularly after having come into contact with a sick person. Avoid touching your mouth and nose until your hands are clean.
• Boost your immune system: eating well, getting enough rest and boosting your immune system with a multivitamin or daily dose of vitamin C can help your body to fight off infection.
• Get a flu shot: a flu vaccination is still the best way to prevent flu infection. You need to have one done every year so get your jab even if you had one last winter. Pregnant women, the elderly, people who are immuno-compromised and those with a history of pulmonary infection fall into a higher risk group and should make sure they get the vaccine. LMS members have access to flu vaccinations by visiting any of the pharmacies contracted on the LMS preferred provider network.

How you can help to fight drug resistant 'superbugs'

World Health Day was celebrated on 7 April this year and the World Health Organization has focused on an important health topic that affects us all – something known as antimicrobial resistance. Simply put, this happens when the bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that cause disease become resistant to the medications we've devised to treat them.

Also known as drug resistance, it's a frightening phenomenon as it renders our only line of defense against many diseases useless. A resistant infection, or 'superbug' as they've become known, can quickly spread causing illness for which we have no effective treatment.

The World Health Organization points out, "We are now on the brink of losing our precious arsenal of medicines. If this phenomenon continues unchecked, many infectious diseases risk becoming uncontrollable. Furthermore, the growth of global trade and travel allows resistant organisms to spread worldwide within hours."

Antimicrobial resistance is caused by the inappropriate use of medicines, such as taking a substandard dose or not completing a prescribed course of treatment. You can make a difference by ensuring you always take medicine exactly as prescribed, for the full length of the prescription, and don't push your doctor to give you an antibiotic if he or she feels it's unnecessary.

Important information on authorisation and settling of claims

We feel it's important to bring to our members' attention that the Scheme's authorisation for a procedure or treatment is separate from the settlement of claims. Authorisation is therefore not an automatic guarantee that the claim for the authorised procedure will be paid. While we may provide authorisation, the final decision on whether funding will be made available to cover the medical costs can only be made once the claim is submitted and is subject to factors such as benefits available and providing the correct coding when submitting the account.

Good news for members who use Clicks directmedicines

Many of our members on chronic medication avail themselves of the opportunity to use Clicks directmedicines, a convenient courier pharmacy service from Clicks that delivers your medication to your door each month.

For your added convenience Clicks directmedicines have now introduced a system whereby you can make any co-payments on direct medicines prescriptions in-store, while paying for your other purchases.

Clicks are also in the process of having postboxes installed in all Clicks pharmacies, allowing you to drop your original prescription in-store. These will be emptied daily, ensuring that the pharmacy receives your prescription as soon as possible. Look out for them in-store.

With Easter just around the corner and many people travelling away on holiday, we remind you that we have changed our emergency transport service provider from Netcare 911 to ER24.

Members should contact ER24 on 084 124 if they require emergency medical assistance.