With the 2010 World Cup just around the corner, tourists and locals alike are gearing up for the sporting event of the year and the experience of a lifetime. But before you grab your vuvuzela and head for the stadium, there are some important health issues you need to consider, and precautions you can take to make sure that you are at your sporting best during the tournament.

What's to worry about?

The nature of the World Cup entails an influx of tourists hailing from a multitude of different countries across the globe. There is a good chance that some of these tourists may unintentionally bring foreign viruses with them, and it is up to you to ensure you are not their next victim.

Naturally, it is unavoidable that you will come into contact with tourists during the World Cup - and not all of them are likely to be ill. However, taking some basic health precautions on your side may help you avoid becoming inadvertently ill after a chance encounter with someone who is sick.

How do these viruses get here?

Many of the tourists travelling to South Africa will be quite healthy. However, travelling by airplane, which entails being in a confined space for a prolonged time period, means that if one person is sick, other passengers also run the risk of contracting the virus. One sick person in an "incubator" can quickly lead to an entire cabin of sick people.

Which viruses?

Apart from everyday colds and stomach bugs, the biggest health concern regarding incoming tourists is the swine flu virus (H1N1). Many of the tourists coming for the World Cup will be travelling from countries experiencing colder, winter weather, and from areas in which swine flu has occurred with greater frequency than here in South Africa.

What is swine flu, and how is it transmitted?

Swine flu, or H1N1, is a respiratory illness caused by the type-A influenza (flu) virus. It has many similar symptoms to normal flu - a fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue and chills. It is transmitted from person to person when an infected individual coughs or sneezes into the air or onto a particular surface. Afterwards, a healthy person inhales the virus, or transmits it through touch into their mouth or nose.

Protect yourself

Following a few basic health guidelines will help to lower the risk of picking up any unwanted germs.

• Build your immune system. It goes without saying that following a healthy diet and exercising regularly are beneficial in many ways. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly to build up your body's natural immune system. You may also want to consider taking a multi-vitamin for an extra boost.
• Wash your hands often and practise good hygiene. A virus can survive outside of the human body for up to two hours, and can therefore be transmitted through touch. Door handles, tables, escalator hand rails or seats where others have been before are all likely culprits. Washing your hands regularly is your best line of defence.
• Carry disposable wipes. Wipes or alcohol-based hand cleaners (waterless types especially) are very useful when you can't wash your hands. Wipes are particularly handy to clean surfaces, especially public toilet facilities.
• Be health-conscious and considerate. Irrespective of whether you're sick or not, it is good etiquette to cover your mouth when sneezing and coughing. And remember to put your used tissues in the bin, not your handbag or pocket - they too carry unwanted germs.

Going to hospital? Please remember to pack your ID. Due to an increase in the number of fraud cases and scams, members will always be required to produce valid identification (either your ID book or driver's licence) on admission.

When the Scheme authorises hospitalisation, it is usually for a finite period of time. Any extension to the hospital stay must be motivated, preferably before the authorised hospitalisation period expires.

We've recently been receiving several queries regarding chronic medication and treatment which, to a large degree, are governed by our formularies and protocols.

For us, it is of utmost importance that all our members are well-informed about how their medical scheme works, and that any queries they may have are quickly clarified. Let's shed some light on these topics.

What are formularies?

A formulary is a list of medicines prescribed in the treatment of various chronic conditions.

How do formularies affect me?

If you have a chronic condition, and your doctor prescribes medication not listed on your option's formulary, you may incur a co-payment. Making sure that your doctor prescribes medication listed on your option's formulary will ensure a lower co-payment on your part.

What are protocols?

Protocols are specific guidelines created by healthcare professionals specialising in a certain field of medicine. These guidelines serve as a reference for treatment and medications listed on a formulary. They ensure that patients are treated in the best and most effective manner.

Formularies, protocols and chronic conditions

Whenever you require chronic disease medication, it has to conform to both the protocol created regarding your specific condition, and the medications listed on your option's formulary. In situations where a prescribed treatment is not listed on your option's formulary, it will end up costing you more in the form of a co-payment.

Formularies, protocols and CMP scheme options

Formularies and protocols are less restrictive on higher scheme options. Choosing a higher scheme option will give you more freedom of choice (a broader formulary), and a higher reference price (the maximum rand value that a scheme will pay for a specific class of drug). More basic scheme options will not allow as much choice, have a lower reference price and often specify the use of generic medicines.

What does my scheme option offer?

On the Healthpact Premium and Healthpact Silver options, medication for Asthma, Epilepsy and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, together with the remaining Prescribed Minimum Benefit chronic conditions, has to be obtained from our preferred provider - any Clicks pharmacy - to qualify for the chronic subsidy. Medication is subject to a formulary and a maximum monthly subsidy.

On the Healthpact Select option, Prescribed Minimum Benefit chronic conditions will be subsidised at any pharmacy of your choice, including at any Clicks pharmacy.

What can I do to lower costs?

• Stay informed. Know about your benefit's specific formularies. If you are diagnosed with a chronic disease, contact us, and a nursing sister can explain your formulary and options to you.
• Choose generic medication. We advocate the use of generic medication, as it is a valid substitute for more expensive brand-name options. The quality of generic medication is on par with brand-name drugs, which means that you are not sacrificing treatment by paying less. It just helps to significantly lower costs.
• Shop around for healthcare professionals. Look for specialists and general practitioners that charge the NHRPL/CMP tariff. This helps to avoid excess payment after treatments. If you are unsure of where to find a specialist or general practitioner, please contact us for advice.
• Use CMP's selected service provider. CMP has a partnership with Clicks pharmacies, and this allows us to save costs on your behalf. For us to subsidise your medication each month, we request that our members make use of our selected service provider wherever possible.

In addition to the benefits available on your chosen option, there are various scheme rules and regulations that govern our fund, and instances where CMP will be unable to pay your in-hospital claims. To help maximise your funds, keep the following in mind when managing your in-hospital expenses:

• A hospital-based case manager (HCM) communicates with us while you're in hospital. There is a standard period for hospitalisation for certain procedures - if you need to stay longer, and an update is not received from the HCM, there is a chance we will not cover additional days. Please make sure your family speaks to the HCM if you are unable to.
• Take your chronic medication with you to hospital. We will not cover additional chronic medication if the month's allocation has already been met.
• Take-home medication is paid for from your savings. It is not covered under hospitalisation.
• Speech therapy, audiology and dieticians are not paid for in hospital.
• We do pay for in-hospital physiotherapy, provided it's authorised.
• Healthpact Silver members are entitled to up to two general practitioner consultations claimed from insured benefits, not savings. The practitioner must charge the NHRPL/CMP tariff.
• We cover 15 days of nursing at home or at a sub-acute facility. We do not cover hospitalisation for the sole purpose of nursing care.

Please note: All Cape Medical Plan member subscriptions are due on the 1st of each month. Failure to pay your subscriptions by the 3rd of the month will result in your membership being terminated.

This complies with the Medical Schemes Act (chapter 4, section 26, paragraph 7), which states that "All subscriptions or contributions shall be paid directly to a medical scheme not later than three days after payment thereof becoming due."

For the last two years, Cape Medical Plan has proudly sponsored one of Cape Town's most active squash clubs - the Welgemoed Squash Club (WSC). Due to the club's demographic, the sponsorship seemed a good fit for both parties.

Meet WSC's top two players, Rudi and Milnay, who actively endorse CMP at all events. Both players represent Western Province (WP) and compete locally and internationally. We are honoured to have Rudi and Milnay as spokespeople for CMP.

Rudi Willemse, 21

I started playing squash when I was eight years old while watching my father play socially. I played many sports growing up, but gradually learnt to enjoy squash the most.

Unlike team sports, I feel much more in control of the outcome in squash. I rely much more on myself while competing.

In 2008, I became the first player in SA history to reach the semi-finals of the British Junior Open. I have also been WP champion in every age group, and SA champion in the under 16 and under 19 categories.

This is my second season playing for WSC and I've really enjoyed every moment. There is a wonderful synergy at the club, and I believe CMP's involvement has a lot to do with that.

It's great to see lots of younger players taking part. And at every league night I've played at the club, it's been filled with people and support.

I've realised how quickly a person's situation can change in terms of well-being and injury. Being a sportsman, my livelihood and career depends on my body operating optimally. That's why medical aid, and in particular CMP, is essential for peace of mind.

Milnay Louw, 21

I started playing squash when I was nine years old. Throughout school, I definitely preferred sports to academics. Squash came out tops, and I now play locally on a full-time basis and take part in all tournaments.

When I'm not playing squash I enjoy surfing, body-boarding, shopping and watching movies. A friend and I have also started a business called In2Squash. We host training camps and workshops around the country to develop the sport in areas that don't receive a lot of exposure.

Being ranked SA's number one in 2009 was a great achievement. In the same year, I won two big tournaments in Gauteng and Namibia. I would like to finish this season off in SA - they're choosing the Women's World Team to travel to New Zealand at the end of the year.

I've travelled to a huge number of countries for someone my age. I have to frequent the international circuit to keep up with other players. It's fun, but can be a bit lonely at times. I also play locally to maintain my SA ranking points system.

Squash is a very physical sport. It's hard work. It's essential to be fit and healthy to compete.

What's in it for us?

This sponsorship is about far more than marketing ourselves. Yes, the immediate benefit is access to the club's members and auxiliary channels for branding and sales purposes. But, by increasing our visibility in and around WSC, CMP is also able to educate the younger, upcoming market about the importance of medical aid. Fulfilling this vital function requires as much brand awareness as possible.

Our target market comprises healthy individuals who look after their health, and WSC's members fit this demographic to the tee. The club attracts members from the surrounding suburbs of Welgedacht, Plattekloof, Panorama and Kenridge in addition to Welgemoed.

Branding increases visibility. CMP currently receives exposure from branding at the clubhouse (inside, outside and at the entrance), on the squash courts, on team T-shirts and in the club newsletter. Outdoor branding is visible from the Welgemoed Golf Club and from Jip de Jager Drive.

WSC currently has 13 teams participating in the Western Province Squash League. That translates into brand exposure at 220 matches during season, 50% of which are played away at other clubs (Durbanville, Camps Bay, Claremont and even Stellenbosch). While branding on T-shirts may not lead to direct sales, the CMP brand is being recognised all around the Western Cape.

This month, we compare and explore specialist consultation fees at the National Health Reference Price List (NHRPL) rate - also the rate linked to CMP's tariffs. Previously known as the "medical aid" rate, the NHRPL relates to tariffs and services, not medicines.

Here are the NHRPL rates for selected specialists:

Remember, not all specialists charge these rates. Some charge higher tariffs, so it's worth asking and trying to negotiate.

Why more for a physician? Unlike surgeons, physicians are considered general specialists. Whereas you'd visit a surgeon for a specific condition, a visit to a physician is often exploratory and requires more than one procedure.

That's why a physician might charge for the following, in addition to the consultation fee, when assessing a patient:

Our chronic formularies have changed! This will affect your chronic medicine benefit. Please read our article about formularies and protocols on this page, and contact us with further queries.

We do not cover over-the-counter/Pharmacy Advised Therapy (PAT) medicines from insured benefits. These amounts can be paid from your savings if you have available funds, failing which the cost will be for your own account. Also remember that the dispensing fee for such medicines is R16 or 16% of the cost of the medicines. This is also for your own account, but can be claimed from your savings if you have available funds.