Screening and prevention

Why should I bother going for screening tests?

Screening tests check your body's health when you don't have any symptoms of a disease. Having a screening test done is the same as checking a car's oil, water and tyre pressure just to make sure you don't run into problems later. The sooner you find possible health problems, the easier they are to manage; you can even avoid serious disease.

It might feel like a waste of time if your screening tests come back normal, but it's still worth it. One of the best ways for you to make sure you live a long, healthy life is to find out that you are healthy, or to find the problem early, and have time to manage it well before it becomes a problem.

Which screening tests do we pay for?

The Fund pays for the following screening tests at a network pharmacy without using the money in your Medical Savings Account:

• Adults (18 years or older)
  You can get your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) checked at the same time once a year. This can tell you if you're at risk for conditions such as heart disease, stroke or diabetes.
• Children
  Age 2 to 17: You can have your child's body mass index (BMI) calculated and have basic hearing and dental screenings done.
  Age 2 to 17: The Fund pays for milestone tracking for these beneficiaries.

The Fund also covers the following screening tests:

• Depending on your risk of breast cancer:
  • Standard risk: mammogram (once every two years)
  • High risk: mammogram or MRI breast screening (every year) and a once-off BRCA testing.
• Depending on your health:
  • Standard risk: Pap smear (once every three years)
  • If you have HIV, or a previous Pap smear result was abnormal: Pap smear (once every year)
  • HPV Screening for female members who receive abnormal test results after a PAP smear is paid from the Medical Savings Account.
• A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (once every year)
• A faecal occult blood test (once every two years if you are 45 to 75 years old).

What if the tests find something?

We have benefits and care programmes to help you if you are diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, HIV or AIDS, or cancer. Our programmes give you additional benefits to cover the treatment you need for your condition without using up the money in your Medical Savings Account. The programmes also help support you and your treating doctor.

How to join our care programmes:

• For diabetes, call 0800 00 16 15 to join the Diabetes Management Programme
• For heart disease, call 0800 00 16 15 to join the Cardiovascular Management Programme
• For HIV or AIDS, email hiv@engenmed.co.za to join the HIV Management Programme
• For cancer, email oncology@engenmed.co.za to join the Oncology Management Programme

How to find a network doctor close to you

Log in to www.engenmed.co.za, click on DOCTOR VISITS and then search for a network provider under GP and specialist designated service provider (DSP) network search facilities. Otherwise, call us on 0800 00 16 15.