Were you given all the facts before you decided to ask for exemption from Automed, the medical aid in the motor sector? This is the question that Elias Kubeka, Numsa's Wits Central West regional motor organiser is asking after many workers are resigning from Numsa.

"Agents from the Motor Industries Bargaining Council (Mibco) come to the company to explain," says Kubeka. "The agent will tell the employer that the Numsa members have to belong to Automed. They then give the employer a letter with tables for contributions. This shows the total amount that the employer and the worker will pay which is misleading." "Some agents even go further and tell the employer that if workers refuse to join, then they must resign from Numsa, but there is nothing in the Agreement that says this," says Kubeka.

And so the wrong message that gets to the worker is:

if the worker refuses to join, s/he must resign from Numsa the worker must pay at least R24.50 per week to belong.

And notices of resignation from Numsa members pour in.

Automed – the right message!

Automed is compulsory for Numsa members whose employer belongs to these employer associations – Retail Motor Industry (RMI) or Fuel Retailers Association (FRA). But if you earn R230 or less, you belong to another medical aid scheme, or prove that you cannot afford to pay, you can apply for exemption Ask for the Automed Rules and Benefit booklet before you join Ask the Mibco agent everything you want to know about Automed Choose from one of three plans (see box) You have the right to consider your options before you sign the Application or Option Forms The employer can only deduct your money for Automed once you have submitted a signed form.

Lower plan

Worker pays

Employer pays

Member

R12.25 per week

Employer pays R12.25 per week

His/her spouse or adult dependant (i.e. over 18 years)

Member pays R5.50 per week

Employer pays R5.50 per week

Child (up to age 18)

Member pays R2.35 per week per child

Employer pays R2.35 per week per child

Higher plan

 

 

Member

R30.90 per week

Employer pays R30.90 per week

His/her spouse or adult dependant (i.e. over 18 years)

Member pays R13.90 per week

Employer pays R13.90 per week

Child (up to age 18)

Member pays R4.65 per week per child

Employer pays R4.65 per week per child

Superior plan

 

 

Member

R92.30 per week

Employer pays R92.30 per week

His/her spouse or adult dependant (i.e. over 18 years)

Member pays R41.55 per week

Employer pays R41.55 per week

Child (up to age 18)

Member pays R9.25 per week per child

Employer pays R9.25 per week per child

Teething problems Because Automed is new, some doctors, hospitals, chemists have never heard of it. They make you pay cash upfront and then you must claim back from Automed. If this has happened to you, then fill in the form below and detail the name of the doctor/chemist/hospital who refused to accept the Automed membership card. Automed will then follow up with the service provider and make sure that next time you don't have to pay upfront (unless your benef its are exhausted!)

I wish to advise Automed that the following doctor/chemist/hospital/service provider does not accept the Automed membership card.

Reason for not accepting the Automed card: …………………………………………………………..

Name of doctor/ chemist/ hospital/ service provider

————————————————————————————————————————–

Telephone no: …………………….. Fax no: …………………………………………………………

Street address: …………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date of treatment: …………………………………… Fees paid: …………………….(attach receipt)

Member's initials and surname: ………………………………………………………………………..

Membership number: …………………………

Signed member: ………………………………. Date: ………………………………………….

Automed Contact Numbers:

 

Telephone

Fax

Eastern Cape :

041-54 7654/6

041- 57 2076

KZN

031-205 5525

031-205 2783

Free State/N Cape

051-430 3274

051-430 4636

Highveld/ Northern region

011-787 9400

011-787 4779

Western Cape

021-948 6400

021-948 6429/30

021-948 6435
 

Source

Numsa News