This report investigates the knowledge, use of and attitudes of Black patients towards their medical aid schemes. The focus was on both the private and public sector employee and also on the various medical aid schemes covering these employees. Significant differences in opinions were noted and reported between the private and public sector employee. The majority of Black medical aid patients lacked sufficient knowledge of their medical aid schemes. Their perceptions ofthe various role-players within the medical aid industry were very poor. The dissertation concludes with recommendations on how the various role-players can make a change to improve the Black patient's knowledge, use of and attitudes towards his medical aid scheme. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Background The medical schemes industry has been characterised by extreme uncertainty in recent times. Industry turbulence can be attributed to a number of factors that have impacted on the manner in which business is conducted. Amongst these the most significant is the change in legislation that has occurred in the laws governing the administration of medical schemes. The industry is characterised by an increasing number of schemes competing for a finite number of profitable customers. In light of these changes, it was thought prudent to investigate the consumer behaviour characteristics surrounding this industry. Objectives The objective of the study was to determine the factors that influence consumers to choose particular medical schemes over others. To this end it was hypothesised that four factors, namely price, benefits offered, ancillary benefits and broker influence played significant role in the decision making process of consumers . Methods Data was collected using a research questionnaire. This questionnaire was issued to respondents who had recently purchased, or attempted to purchase medical cover. Contact was made with the respondents via a snowball sampling method, using insurance brokers as points of contact. The questionnaire was composed of a mixture of open ended, dichotomous and disconfirmation scale type questions . Results Of the four factors that were hypothesised to significantly influence consumers in their choice of medical schemes, it was found that two were proved correct. These being, the benefits offered and the price of the offering respectively. The third hypothesis, the effect of an ancillary benefits programme was found to influence the consumer in their choice, however respondents did not regard the programmes as vital. They did however indicate that they tried to purchase cover that included an ancillary benefits programme. The final hypothesis was disproved as it was found that consumers did not always follow the recommendations of the broker in choosing a medical scheme. They were however found to consult extensively with vanous brokers regarding the types of cover that are available. The final choice between medical schemes were however made by the consumer independently of the brokers influence. Conclusion It is recommended that further research be conducted to ensure that consumer needs harmonize with the medical schemes product offerings. The importance of the various factors that compromise the purchasing process should be measured against each other to determine the importance that consumers place on a specific factor. This prevents medical schemes from placing emphasis on unwanted product features and thereby wasting valuable resources. Further investigation into the topic should encompass all aspects that are deemed relevant, as well as a cross tabulation between the variable factors influencing consumer choice and consumers demographic information. This would further aid the organisations to firstly create more efficient market segments, and secondly to more effectively match product offerings with the given segments. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal,Durban, 2003.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2015.

Micro Finance Institutions are being advocated as vehicles to provide poor people with loans to start business enterprises. Micro Health Insurance is offered to insure against the risk of ill-health in the enterprise. An interesting aspect of this initiative is that it is donor driven to service the needs of the poor and the 'unbankable.' However, it was the researcher's considered view that it may not be easy to build a sustainable Micro Health Insurance Scheme for poorer people. The study thus sought to explore the possibility of developing a sustainable Micro Health Insurance Scheme in the context of acute poverty, free health care, the burden of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, the growing informal sector, erratic and unreliable incomes and the nature of risks faced by these prospective clients. To develop a thorough understanding of the subject matter, extensive reading was carried out. The researcher then designed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The study had a total of 34 respondents, most of whom where members of a Financial Service Co-operatives, which are community-banking structures that provide a range of financial products for poorer people and those in the informal economy. It is clear from the study that these people are faced with a number of risks. There are several problems that may affect the possibility of building a sustainable health insurance scheme. The present study does not provide any statistical evidence but explores the theme of using the concept of risk and vulnerability to understand the poverty in which Micro Finance and Micro Health Insurance is located. The study provides an array of policy options that can be explored to provide for the health care needs of poorer people, as well as suggestions for future research. / Thesis (M.Dev. Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.