Bankmed GP in George, Banking Sector Members & Families
NeoHealth (Drs Chellan & Lakay Inc, practice number 1221566) welcomes Bankmed members, employees of South Africa's banking sector and their registered dependants, at our George Central practice. Bankmed is administered by Discovery Health, so your claims run on Discovery's systems: we bill the scheme directly, in real time, while you're still at reception.
If you work for a bank in George or the wider Garden Route, this is your practice: 15-20-minute unhurried consultations, Saturday-morning hours, and medication dispensed in-rooms where your plan allows.
Benefits verified against Bankmed 2026 guides: 14 August 2026
How billing works at NeoHealth
- Bring your Bankmed membership card and ID, we verify your plan and benefits at reception.
- We claim directly from Bankmed via Discovery Health's systems, real-time, at scheme rates. Contracted network practice with no balance-billing: you never pay more than your plan's defined co-payment here.
- Been in hospital? Your follow-up GP consultation within 30 days of discharge is funded at network rates.
- HealthID consent: at your first visit we ask your consent to access your HealthID record, used across Discovery-administered schemes to confirm registered benefits on the spot. Withdraw anytime.
Bankmed options we consult
| Option | How your GP benefit works |
|---|---|
| Basic (Entry Plan GP Network) | Nominate a primary and secondary GP within the Entry Plan GP Network, select Drs Chellan & Lakay (PN 1221566), for unlimited network GP visits. Skip nomination and Bankmed assigns you one based on your claims history, with visits paid from the Out-of-network GP Benefit instead (capped at 3 visits, up to R2,870 per family per year). |
| Essential (Entry Plan GP Network) | Uses the same Entry Plan GP Network as Basic, but with no formal GP nomination requirement, book with us directly. |
| Core Saver, Traditional, Comprehensive & Plus (GP Network) | Consultations at contracted network GPs funded per your plan's day-to-day rules, real-time claims at scheme rates. |
Nominate NeoHealth as your Bankmed GP
- Basic Plan members: nominate Drs Chellan & Lakay (PN 1221566) as your primary and secondary GP via the Bankmed member portal or app, so both doctors are on your file.
- Each registered family member nominates separately.
GP nomination is a Basic Plan mechanic within the Entry Plan GP Network. Essential Plan members use the same network but book without a formal nomination step. Other plans simply book too, no selection needed.
Benefits your Bankmed contributions already pay for
Screening and prevention, paid from your screening benefit, not your savings
Early-detection tests funded per Bankmed's screening rules (2026 benefit year). Frequencies differ by plan, we confirm your specific benefit before billing.
| Benefit | Who qualifies | How often | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pap smear (liquid cytology) | Per plan rules | Once per year | Procedure in-rooms; lab analysis |
| Mammogram | Per plan rules | Once per year | Referral arranged |
| Prostate screening (PSA) | Per plan rules | Once per year | Sample in-rooms; lab analysis |
| HIV screening tests | Per plan rules | Covered, unlimited on Discovery-administered screening schedules | In-rooms; lab confirmation |
| Health Check (glucose, BP, cholesterol, BMI) | All members | Once per year (some plans twice) | Vitality Wellness Network pharmacy, we'll direct you |
| Flu vaccine | 65+ or listed chronic conditions | Once per year | In-rooms |
Frequency and eligibility rules differ by plan, we confirm your specific benefit before billing, so there are no surprises.
Why Bankmed members choose NeoHealth
- 15-20-minute unhurried consultations, no double-booking, no rushing
- Dispensing GPs: leave with your medication, skip the second queue
- Same-week appointments
- Women's health, HIV management and child health special interests
- HPCSA-compliant telehealth follow-ups anywhere in South Africa
Related services at NeoHealth
Bankmed questions, answered
Do you accept Bankmed patients?
Yes, we bill Bankmed directly on all plans, in real time via Discovery Health's systems. Bring your membership card and ID.
Do I pay upfront?
No, we claim from Bankmed directly. Co-payments apply only where your plan defines them, and we quote them before the consultation.
Is Bankmed administered by Discovery?
Yes, Bankmed is a closed scheme for the banking sector, administered by Discovery Health. If you've used Discovery before, the claims experience will feel familiar.
What is HealthID consent and why do you ask for it?
HealthID is the secure health-record platform used across Discovery-administered schemes. With your consent we can confirm your benefits instantly and coordinate your care. It's requested once, in-rooms, and you can withdraw it at any time.
Is the pap smear covered?
Yes, one pap smear per year per plan rules, funded from the screening benefit: the procedure is done in-rooms and the sample goes to the pathology lab. Women's-health consultations are with Dr Lakay.
Does Bankmed cover prostate screening?
Yes, one PSA test per year from the screening benefit, sampled in-rooms and analysed by the lab.
Can I get my flu vaccine at NeoHealth?
If you're 65+ or registered for a listed chronic condition, yes, one flu vaccine per year in-rooms. Otherwise your annual Health Check at a Vitality Wellness Network pharmacy covers glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI.
Do you help with chronic benefit applications?
Yes, and it matters more from 2026: Bankmed now funds out-of-hospital PMB chronic care only when the condition is correctly registered and coded. We handle the application, registration and coding at your visit. Basic and Essential Plan applications go to chronicbasicessential@bankmed.co.za, a different address from chronic@bankmed.co.za used by the other plans, we route it correctly either way.
What happens if I never nominate a GP on the Basic Plan?
Bankmed assigns you a primary GP based on your previous claims history, and until then your GP visits are paid from your out-of-network benefit rather than the network one. It is worth nominating deliberately rather than letting the allocation happen by accident. You can nominate at bankmed.co.za under Doctor Visits and Find a Healthcare Professional, in the Bankmed App, or by calling 0800 BANKMED (0800 226 5633).
How many GPs do I nominate on the Basic Plan?
Two: a primary GP and a secondary GP, both from the Bankmed GP Entry Plan Network. Once nominated, network GP visits are unlimited. Visits to a third GP, network or not, draw down your out-of-network consultation allowance.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Your Bankmed membership card, your ID, and your current medication list, and be ready to sign the quick HealthID consent so we can see your benefits.
Every scheme we bill directly
Not your scheme? Each of these has its own page setting out the network, nomination and co-payment rules that apply to a GP visit. See the medical aid overview for the rules that apply across schemes.
- 3Sixty Health
- AECI
- Affinity Health
- Bestmed
- Bonitas
- BPMAS
- CAMAF
- CompCare
- Dis-Chem Health
- Discovery
- Fedhealth
- Foodmed
- GEMS
- Imperial Motus Med
- KeyCare & FlexiCare
- KeyHealth
- LA Health
- Massmart
- MBMed
- Medipos
- Medshield
- Momentum
- NBCPSS
- NBCRFLI Wellness Fund
- Old Mutual Staff Medical Aid Scheme
- POLMED
- Remedi
- Retail Medical Scheme
- SABMAS
- SAMWUMED
- Sizwe Hosmed
- Universal