LODGES AND DOCTORS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17319, 3 December 1921, Page 2

LODGES AND DOCTORS.

CHANGE IN METHOD? A system of medical benefit "which is new to the work of friendly societies in the Dominion has been in operation for nearly two years by the Southern Cross Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand, the pioneer lodge of the Order in Wellington. In lieu of the plan generally followed bv sister institutions, that of arranging with one or more meuical men to provide professional attendance in consideration of a fixed payment per member, the Southern Cross Lodge has provided for a medical fund to which eacn member contribute* at the rate ot £1 a vear. In the event of illness on the part of the member, or his wife, or children below a stated age, he is entitled to call in tho services of ally medical man he may prefer; and the lodge undertakes, out of the medical fund, to pay one-half the amount of the fees incurred, on production of thc_ receipted account of the doctor. The change of system is being watched with keen interest by friendly societies throughout New Zealand, some oi , which have gone so far as to adopt the plan on their own account, while others are' seriously considering the advisability of following the Wellington lead. So far as its experience has gone—and two years of trial, including the period of* a moderate influenza epide- • mic, can be considered a fair test" of : the new system—the Southern Cross Lodge has found no reason to regret its courage in undertaking the enterprise, either from the financial aspect or from the extra satisfaction which its working affords to the members. One notable feature is that the total membership, of the lodge—about £00 —has enrolled under the new medical fund. That in itself is a rare circumstance in friendly society experience. In the case ot • most ledges of all orders, it is usual to find some members withholding subscription to the contract medical funds for one reason or another. •So satisfactory. has been the experience of the lodge, in Wellington so far that at the end of the present year it will bo asked by it 3 officers»ito consider the question whether it shall bear a larger proportion of the actual medical expenses of members than" the present one-half, or whether it would prefer to continue on the present basis until a. more substantial fund has been built up, as a guarantee of security in case of\the occurrence of some very serious epidemic.