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Cimas History
Last date modified: 08/16/2011
History of Cimas
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Background
Prior to the Second World War in 1939, discussions were held in the then Salisbury Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in what was known as Southern Rhodesia, on the need for some form of medical aid insurance for employees in the private sector. At that time, members of the civil service were already covered by a medical aid society which is still in existence today. |
The municipalities of the two major towns of Salisbury (Harare) and Bulawayo had also introduced medical aid benefit funds. The Chambers of Commerce and Industry felt there was a need for a medical aid society, or mutual benefit fund, that catered for the employees in the private sector as well. The advent of the Second World War delayed the start of the operations of the proposed society until the 1st of October 1945, when the 'Commercial and Industrial Medical Aid Society opened its doors for business.
Membership was open to those firms and employees that were members of the constituent chambers of Zimbabwe. Some interesting facts and figures reflect the tremendous growth that the society has enjoyed.
1953 |
Membership opened beyond commerce and industry |
1961 |
Introduction of special packages |
1968 |
Joined the International Federation of Health Plans (IFHP) |
1969 |
Operations computerised |
1982 |
Introduced a drug benefit |
1983 |
Private Hospital package introduced |
1985 |
Society changed its name to Cimas Medical Aid Society |
1985 |
Primary package introduced |
1985 |
Society purchased Medical Laboratories |
1986 |
Cimas Travel Cover introduced |
1989 |
Family planning and optical benefits added – opened Bulawayo branch office |
1991 |
Medical Air Rescue benefit introduced |
1992 |
Launched Medexec package |
1993 |
Launched Basicare package |
1994 |
CEO elected Vice President of IFHP |
1995 |
Adopted AMAA drug reimbursement system |
1999 |
Revamped Society's computer systems |
1999 |
Started introducing concepts of Co-ordinated Care. |
Landmarks in the Critical Path
1953 |
A Parliamentary sub-commitee was formed to extend coverage beyond commerce and industry |
1961 |
Membership was opened to all races.The first special package for the University Students' Fund was launched, paving the way for further packages for the mining industry and large argicultural concerns |
1968 |
Cimas joined the Federation of International Health Funds, acquiring access to state of the art information of medical aid management |
1969 |
Computerised its operations |
1982 |
First to introduce the drug benefit |
1983 |
Cimas Private Hospital package was introduced |
1985 |
Cimas Primary Package introduced. Purchased the largest medical laboratories in Zimbabwe |
1986 |
Purchased Radiology Services in Bulawayo
Travel Cover Scheme introduced |
1997 |
Opened a branch office in Gweru |
1998 |
Opened a branch office in Mutare |
1999 |
Opened a joint venture company with Gambro of Sweden for renal dialysis known as the Harare Haemodialysis. |
Membership History
1946 |
2294 members and dependants, 66 member firms, $9946 contribution income, claims paid $1696 |
1990 |
212678 members and dependants, 14121 member firms, $53 million and claims paid $52 million |
1996 |
384000 members and dependants, plus 2000 member firms, contribution income $540 million, claims paid $500 million |
1999 |
420000 members and dependants, plus 2000 member firms, contribution income $1.7 billion, claims paid $1.3 billion |
2001 |
Launched HealthGuard Package |
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