Joining your employer
Employer policy
It is is compulsory for all permanent Employees, except for staff below, to become members, from the date of entering service, of the medical scheme approved by the Employer.
Membership of the Preferred medical scheme is not compulsory for the following categories of employees:
- Employees below the C-Level on the Paterson Grades
- Staff covered on their spouse’s medical scheme and
- Pensioners
It is voluntary for all permanent Paterson grade A & B employees to join Discovery PrimaryCare or any of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme plans.
Gap Cover is offered on a voluntary basis through Admed Supreme Gap and is deducted via payroll. Waiting periods may apply to pre-existing conditions.
The employer policy confirms all the Lactalis SA guidelines and rules regarding your healthcare arrangements.
Subsidy policy
Majority of employees are remunerated on a Total Cost to Company basis, some employees may however still qualify for a subsidy. The company needs to confirm if an employee has been appointed on a Total guaranteed package basis or if the employee qualifies for company subsidy.
Lactalis SA subsidize up to a maximum of 50% of the benchmark option, being Classic Priority. Discovery Health counts a maximum of 3 children when they calculate the contributions. Employees, on a Cost to Company remuneration structure, contributes the Total Contribution as stated in the tables. Read the subsidy tables in conjunction with Medical Aid Policy.
Compare medical scheme options
The selected Lactalis SA scheme is Discovery Health Medical Scheme. Contributions are a payroll deduction. There are many different medical scheme options within the medical schemes in terms of affordability and health needs. Use this tool to filter and compare the options that are most appropriate for you and your family.
How to use the tool
- The rates are automatically calculated for the main member.
- Select “add dependant” to add spouse, adult(s), or child(ren).
- Answer the three questions relating to hospital and day-to-day cover.
- Select your budget range using the sliding scale.
- The option comparison tool will start generating your contribution and order based on benefit richness.
- By selecting “Group by plan type”, the table will group the plans allowing you to expand and collapse the groupings.
- To view further detailed information about the plans, select the required plans by clicking on each row. Once completed, click the “View Comparison” button.
- To revert to the list of plans, click the “Back to Selection” button.
Gap cover
Gap cover is a top up insurance that can be added to your medical scheme to cover specialist in hospital shortfalls, co-payments in hospital, cancer shortfalls and more…
Admed Supreme Gap is the preferred gap cover provider available to Lactalis SA employees. Membership is voluntary and monthly contributions are collected via payroll. A general 3-month general waiting period, 9 month waiting period on pre-existing conditions and 12 months on pregnancy and cancer, may apply.
The Admed Supreme Gap contributions for 2024 are as follows:
Chronic medicine and disease management
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition e.g., hypertension, diabetes or an illness (e.g., oncology, dialysis), you will need to register this on your medical scheme. Medical schemes require you to complete a process to ensure registration on the programmes. It is advisable to obtain a membership number and then submit your application for chronic and disease registration.
Loyalty programmes
Your medical scheme may have a wellness and loyalty programme that provides rewards, discounts and benefits for leading a healthier lifestyle. This may come at an additional cost.
Forms
Each provider has various forms that you may need to complete to ensure you are registered as a member.
Once completed, please send your form to your HR Representative.
If you are joining the medical scheme within 90 days of your employment date
If you are joining the medical scheme after 90 days of your employment date
If you are already a member of one of the existing medical schemes and you need to transfer this to your new employer
Gap cover application form
Chronic application form
Loyalty programme application form