Knowledge is power
Bankmed continues to partner with BioFITT Wellness for at-home wellness screenings and RecoMed for online booking for wellness consultations at Clicks, Dis-Chem or Alpha Pharm pharmacies.
How do I book my appointment for at-home testing?
You have three options:
- Make your appointment when one of our BioFITT Wellness consultants calls you during the year
- Call BioFITT Wellness on 021 820 4858 on weekdays between 08:00 and 17:00
- Book via the BioFITT Wellness dedicated WhatsApp line 074 978 9836 (provide your name, membership number and physical address)
How do I book my appointment for in-pharmacy testing? *
Book online through RecoMed to have your screening done at a Clicks, Alpha Pharm or Dis-Chem pharmacy.
Need help booking online? E-mail support@recomed.co.za
Bankmed, in partnership with Recomed, offers you access to health screenings at selected Clicks, Dis-Chem and Alpha Pharm pharmacies. Health screenings can detect underlying conditions which, if left untreated, could become serious or even deadly. It is important to note that a health screening is not a diagnostic tool but highlights possible health risks which could result in a chronic condition.
* The RecoMed platform cannot be used to book a COVID-19 vaccination and all members should enrol on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).
Will Bankmed cover wellness screenings?
Your claims for your Personal Health Assessment (PHA) will be paid from your Insured Benefits and will not affect your day-to-day benefits or the funds available in your Medical Savings Account (if your Plan has one). If you want to have any other checks done, your cover depends on your Plan benefits.
Get the support you need
If your screening results indicate that you are at risk of developing an underlying condition, it is important that you visit your Healthcare Professional to confirm the results. If you are diagnosed as having a chronic condition, you will have to enrol on the appropriate Managed Care Programme to access the Chronic Illness Benefit. It is vital that you follow your treatment on your Managed Care Programme to remain healthy and mitigate the risks associated with poorly managed chronic conditions.
Bankmed covers chronic medical conditions through the Chronic Illness Benefit. For more information on which 27 chronic conditions are covered and how to register for the Chronic Illness Benefit, visit the website or contact us on 0800 BANKMED (0800 226 5633).
Get tested. Get vaccinated. Follow treatment
Get tested regularly for HIV and get tested for COVID-19 and TB if you have any symptoms. Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and carefully follow all the treatment your Healthcare Professional prescribes for these conditions.
HIV is a manageable condition just like other chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma. HIV can be managed with treatment, regular blood tests and choosing to live a healthy lifestyle.
How to learn your HIV status
As a Bankmed member, you have three options to choose from for HIV testing:
1. Self-testing in the privacy of your own home
Bankmed offers quick and convenient HIV self-testing in the privacy of your own home. Regardless of whether you use a self-testing kit or a finger-prick test, if your test shows you are positive for HIV, a confirmatory test with your Healthcare Professional will always be required. We encourage you to seek counselling before and after being tested for HIV. Visit our website or e-mail us at hiv@bankmed.co.za to find out how the HIV self-test works and how to order one online.
2. Book online at your nearest Clicks or Dis-Chem
Book online for your HIV testing at your nearest Clicks or Dis-Chem. They provide testing together with pre- and post-test counselling.
3. Visit your Healthcare Professional (GP)
Find a Healthcare Professional on our network who will guide and assist with your healthcare needs.
You have cover for HIV/AIDS care and treatment
Bankmed members who are diagnosed with HIV have access to our HIV Programme with comprehensive benefits for clinically sound treatment. Read more about the support available to you.
How to register:
- E-mail hiv@bankmed.co.za or
- Call 0800 BANKMED (0800 226 5633)
Your status and treatment always remain confidential. Your data is protected and only assigned consultants who work with the HIV Programme have access to your information so they can assist you.
Commit to protecting yourself and your community
The UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2021 reports that HIV remains a global health crisis, with the 2020 statistics showing that 37.7 million people were living with HIV and 10.2 million were not on treatment.
Remember to take the necessary steps to prevent HIV infection:
- Practice safe sex and always use a condom. Make sure you and your partner know your HIV status.
- If you are pregnant, you must test for HIV and, if you test positive, you must take antiretroviral therapy (ARVs). This will help reduce the risk of transmission from you to your baby.
- Talk to your Healthcare Professional about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP is medication given to HIV-negative people who may be at risk of contracting HIV. PEP is a medication given to people who have been exposed to HIV to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
We care about your health and encourage you to be responsible and stay safe!
All Bankmed members and dependants older than 18 years have access to the Wellness and Preventative Care Benefits which cover services related to preventative tests and health assessments. If a condition is left untreated or the symptoms go unnoticed without confirmation of the root cause, the condition can progress to a stage where serious intervention is needed. Such intervention may include expensive surgery and intensive medical care. With the Wellness and Preventative Care Benefits, you have access to essential tests for early diagnosis and preventative care purposes.
As part of your Personal Health Assessment, a Healthcare Professional will measure your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose, and calculate your body mass index and waist circumference.
Find out more about the Personal Health Assessment here.
What is the Mental Health Care Programme?
The Mental Health Care Programme, together with your Premier Plus GP, can help you actively manage episodes of major depression. This programme gives you and your Premier Plus GP access to tools and benefits to monitor and manage your condition and ensure you get high quality, coordinated healthcare and the best outcomes.
Complete your Mental Wellbeing Assessment and read more about the Mental Health Care programme.
Bankmed encourages you to be proactive during the flu season - get your flu vaccine to remain healthy. The flu vaccine will keep your immune system strong, especially during the pandemic.
Bankmed provides you with a range of options to book for your flu vaccine:
Online bookings - Clicks and Dis-Chem Pharmacies
Step 1: Click on the booking link https://bankmedbooking.datafree.co/
Step 2: Search for a Clicks or Dis-Chem pharmacy by location e.g. Sandton
Step 3: Select your preferred pharmacy
Step 4: Select your preferred date and timeslot (availability is highlighted in red)
Step 5: Complete your personal information
Step 6: Select the flu vaccine from the 'Select a reason' drop down list
(if the option is not on the list, it is not available at that pharmacy)
Step 7: Accept the 'Terms & Conditions'
Step 8: Select 'Request appointment now'
On confirmation of your booking, you will receive an SMS and e-mail with your appointment details.
At-home bookings
You can schedule an appointment using one of the below methods:
- Call BioFITT Wellness on 021 820 4858 during office hours between 08:00 to 17:00
- Book via the BioFITT Wellness dedicated WhatsApp line 081 848 8938 (provide your name, membership number and physical address)
Make an appointment with a Bankmed General Practitioner
- Click here to access the Bankmed Health Professionals network
Getting the flu vaccine will not use up your day-to-day benefits; it is covered from your Wellness and Preventative Care Benefits (Insured Benefits). If the vaccine is administered by a nurse, and should a consultation fee be charged, it is subject to the nurse consultation benefit.
For more information on our Preventative Care Benefits click here.
Breast cancer can be treated if it's detected early.
It is important to remember that breast cancer does not only affect females. One in every 992 men develops breast cancer. It is important that women and men who are 40 years or older go for a yearly breast cancer screening called a mammogram. A mammogram is specialised imaging that uses low-dose X-rays to evaluate the internal structure of the breast.
Get answers to common questions about mammograms and breast cancer.
Where do I go for a mammogram?
Mammograms are usually done at radiology units. Healthcare Professionals refer members for mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
Does Bankmed pay for mammograms?
You automatically have cover for one mammogram a year if you are 40 years of age or older.
We want to make sure you can get the treatment you need without waiting for symptoms to develop. If you are 40 years or older, we do not use your day-to-day benefits or your Medical Savings Account to pay for these tests. We pay for them from your Insured Benefit in full if you use a radiologist in the Bankmed Network.
We understand you might need a mammogram even if you are younger than 40. If your Healthcare Professional suggests a mammogram, contact us on 0800 BANKMED (0800 226 5633) to get approval.
We offer an interactive tool, the Breast Cancer Risk Calculator on our website to estimate your risk of developing breast cancer. If the calculator shows you are at high risk and your Healthcare Professional agrees, Bankmed gives you access to additional screenings such as an MRI scan of the breast. You must get approval before you go for the scan.
Bankmed's Oncology Programme
If you are diagnosed with cancer, our Oncology Programme pays for cancer treatment we approve. For more information on how to register, read about our programme.
We encourage you to have your health screenings and stay safe!
Join our Pill Squad and have your contraceptive pill delivered directly to you!
Bankmed is always looking for innovative ways to demonstrate that we truly are your partner in Health and Wellness. Part of that promise is to make it easier for you to remain healthy while leading a busy lifestyle.
As a female Bankmed member, you can use The Pill Squad, a platform that allows you to order your monthly contraceptive pill and have it delivered directly to your home or place of work.
Who can join the Pill Squad?
Female members on the Core Saver, Traditional, Comprehensive and Plus Plans qualify for the enhanced Contraceptive Benefit. Bankmed pays for oral contraceptives at our Medicine Rate, up to the yearly contraception benefit limit. If your pill costs more than this, you will have to pay the difference by credit card or using EFT. If you reach the limit, we will let you know and you will have to pay the cost of the medication yourself.
How does delivery work?
Our Pill Squad delivers prescriptions from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00. There are no deliveries on weekends and public holidays. The pills are sent in a brown box in an unmarked flyer bag.