FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24783, 6 December 1941, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

AGREEMENT WITH DOCTORS CONSULTATION FEES ARRANGED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. F. Success has attended the efforts of the friendly societies in Canterbury to reach an agreement with the medical practitioners that will be of considerable benefit to friendly society members. This was announced to-day by the president of the Dominion Council of Friendly Societies, Mr W. G. Carpenter, who said the doctors had agreed to accept the rates laid down under the Social Security Act in full settlement of their accounts, the societies to pay the doctors and then recover the amount from the Social Security Department. " This arrangement," Mr Carpenter said, "affects about 12,000 members, who, with their families, represent about 36,000 persons." Under this scheme, which comes into operation on March 1, members of friendly societies, it was explained, would be better off than ever before. Members would be able to attend any one of 20 or 30 doctors who were expected to come into the scheme and would not be required to make any payment whatever. Under the Social Security Act, the medical fee recoverable by a patient for consultation with a doctor is 7s 6d, and 12s 6d for night or Sunday. calls, and this is the amount which the doctors have agreed to accept on behalf of friendly society members. This is in contrast with the payment of 10s 6d which has been the minimum charge for consultation with a doctor by persons outside friendly societies.