ABSTRACT
A provident association is a non-profit-making organization, rather like a mutual insurance company. That is to say, any revenue it enjoys, in excess of its operating costs, becomes part of the company's reserves which have to be reinvested in facilities or services which are of direct benefit to its subscribers. The providents were set up specifically to facilitate health insurance, their intention being to enable subscribers to fund treatment they might not otherwise be able to afford all at once. The structure of the private health insurance business is an important consideration for all concerned with it, including its 'providers'. The attempt to guarantee quality has been undertaken principally by means of the establishment of strict criteria governing the type of specialist in respect of whose treatment costs will be reimbursed to the insured. The health insurers are now considering a wide range of options aimed at reducing costs generally, including the cost of professional fees.
