This publication is a valuable tool for all health care professionals and anyone who needs to evaluate health care options either for their own families or on behalf of their staff, clients or patients.

The first part of the book deals with the size and shape of private and public healthcare services, unfolding health care regulations and a description of how all the participants in the industry fit together. It also offers readers a guide to checking on the health of different medical schemes, as well as understanding the details of benefits and options.

Chapters include:

• Chapter 1 - The Big Picture
• Chapter 2 - South Africa at a Glance
• Chapter 3 - Sources of Healthcare Funding and Medical Inflation
• Chapter 4 - Public Sector Health Services
• Chapter 5 - Road Accident Fund
• Chapter 6 - Public Private Partnerships in the Health Sector
• Chapter 7 - National Health Insurance (NHI)
• Chapter 8 - General Introduction to Health Legislation
• Chapter 9 - The National Health Act 61 of 2003
• Chapter 10 - The Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998
• Chapter 11 - Medical Schemes Act: Prescribed Minimum Benefits
• Chapter 12  - Medical Schemes Act: Risk Management
• Chapter 13 - Medicines and Related Substances Control
• Chapter 14 - Other Laws Affecting the Healthcare Sector
• Chapter 15 - Funders of Healthcare: Out-of-pocket, Non-government Organisations and Donors
• Chapter 16 - Funders of Healthcare: Bargaining Councils
• Chapter 17 - Funders of Healthcare: Commercial Insurance Products
• Chapter 18 - Funders of Healthcare: Employers
• Chapter 19 - Funders of Healthcare: Medical Schemes
• Chapter 20 - Funders of Healthcare: Medical Scheme Statistics
• Chapter 21 - Funders of Healthcare: Choosing the Appropriate Medical Scheme for your Clients
• Chapter 22 - Service Providers: Administrators
• Chapter 23 - Service Providers: Managed Care Organisations
• Chapter 24 - Financial Advisors and Employee Benefits Companies
• Chapter 25 - Tariffs
• Chapter 26 - Health Providers: Doctors
• Chapter 27 - Health Providers: Support Medical Personnel and Clinical Associates
• Chapter 28 - Health Providers: Nurses
• Chapter 29 - Service Providers: Hospitals
• Chapter 30 - Healthcare Providers: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
• Chapter 31 - Suppliers of Healthcare: Distribution of Medicines
• Chapter 32 - Medical Devices
• Chapter 33 - Appendices and references

The second part of the book focuses on healthcare service providers, health care consultants and medical schemes and gives industry players an opportunity to describe their services and list their contact details.