At a gala event in Cape Town on Thursday evening, Michael Temlett of Momentum Health, received the News24 Medical Scheme of the Year award. To his left are News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson and business editor Helena Wasserman.

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For a second year, Momentum is News24’s Medical Scheme of the Year.

News24 assessed the country’s open medical schemes using a unique set of criteria, including a survey of more than 13 000 News24 readers.

They were asked to rate their medical scheme on their client service and communications, premiums, claims process, and payouts.

There is also a sizeable qualitative aspect to the awards, which includes the News24 team’s own assessment of the medical scheme’s transparency, media relations and innovation. Our team members also scrutinised the schemes’ offerings – looking at, for example, how clearly information is presented and what options are available.

The final rankings were audited by an actuarial consultant.

Momentum was praised for the simple, clear presentation of its options, as well as its cost-effective products.

It also received excellent feedback on its responsiveness from News24 team members.

In our reader survey, clients gave it high scores for premiums and payouts, in particular.

At a gala event in Cape Town on Thursday evening, Michael Temlett, Executive Head: Open Market Business Unit at Momentum Health, thanked all stakeholders and the media for feedback, and emphasised the important role they have in protecting the most vulnerable people.

“Tonight we don’t celebrate ourselves, but rather we accept the award on behalf of each and everyone of you, because we wouldn’t be here without your partnership.”

The awards function was sponsored by Uber.