Is it fraudulent to use a medical scheme membership card belonging to another person to obtain benefits?
Yes, medical scheme identity theft is fraud. It is a crime involving theft and the misrepresentation of an identity. It is effectively the theft of an individual’s benefits which may cause financial loss to providers and/or medical schemes. .

Medical identity theft.
Medical identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, medical scheme card and medical scheme number or other personal information to obtain healthcare treatment, consultations, investigations and medication or any services related to your benefits. It may be with the knowledge and consent of the member of the scheme or the use of medical identity by a criminal or criminals. Without the knowledge of the victim this involves the falsifying of medical records the submission of false claims for medical benefits made to your medical scheme, again using your personal information.

Some identity theft cases occur as a result of healthcare providers, family members or friends gaining possession of your medical scheme membership card.
Please tell all beneficiaries who have copies of your card never to lend the medical scheme card out and to keep it safe at all times.

What should you do if you lose your medical scheme membership card?
Please report it to your medical scheme, your employer if they pay your medical scheme premiums and your general practitioner or  other healthcare providers who have submitted claims on your behalf.