MEDICAL BENEFITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 10 December 1941, Page 4

MEDICAL BENEFITS

GISBORNE LODGE PLAN DOCTORS’ SERVICES SMALL RETAINING FEE Medical officers of Gisborne friendly societies have advised lodges of their agreement with a proposal placed before them recently for a continuation of medical benefits for lodge members. Up to the present lodge members have been treated by their doctors under a panel scheme, under which the member pays a quarterly contribution which enables him to secure free medical attention and advice from their medical officers. The new scheme will enable members to secure the same service, but under a new basis of contribution to work in with the social security scheme. On Saturday night, representatives of all lodges in Gisborne met their medical officers, and placed proposals before them, the doctors intimating that they would give their reply within a few days. This reply came to band yesterday. The doctors concerned have agreed to accept the lodge patients on payment of the 7s 6d per consultation to be refunded by the Social Security Department, and no other payment will be required of members or their families, except that members participating in the scheme will be levied Is per quarter as a retaining fee. The lodges are to undertake the collection of the social security payments of 7s Gd per visit at regular intervals and to make payment of the amounts to the doctors. This scheme is on similar lines fo those adopted in other parts of the Dominion, although, it is understood, varies in certain instances. For this retaining fee the doctors will carry out other duties, such as the examination of candidates for admission to the lodges. It is expected that Gisborne friendly societies will take the earliest opportunity of discussing the plan which the lodge doctors are prepared to adopt, and upon ratification by the lodges the scheme will be put into effect from the earliest convenient date. In the meantime, the lodges will continue under the plan at present in operation. Lodge members also have beep asked to complete forms setting out •the number and names of their dependents, this information being required by the Social Security Department by December 31, and as many members have not complied yet they are asked to deal with the matter without delay.