APOLOGIES are necessary, but are not enough; material redress and structural consequences should be the next steps against medical schemes that racially profile black healthcare professionals.
Healthcare workers union, Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa), expressed deep concern and condemnation following the announcement of the findings of the Section 59 Investigation Report in which three medical schemes, namely Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems), Medscheme, and Discovery Health, applied discriminatory risk ratios to black health professionals.
The discrimination affected black healthcare professionals in disciplines such as physiotherapy, psychology, and social work, who are said to be ‘more likely’ to be guilty of fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA).
The panel reviewed statistical and testimonial evidence, and found that black providers were disproportionately flagged, audited, or penalised through…