Privacy Policy
Protecting Your Data
Protecting your privacy is important to SEDMED. We are committed to protecting your personal information and processing it responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).
This Privacy Policy explains how SEDMED collects, uses, stores, discloses and protects your personal information when you visit our website or interact with us.
Privacy Principles
Our privacy practices are guided by internationally recognised privacy principles, including:
- Transparency regarding the collection and use of personal information.
- Purpose limitation.
- Data minimisation.
- Accuracy of information.
- Appropriate security safeguards.
- Responsible disclosure where required.
- Accountability.
We comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws wherever we conduct business.
Consent
By using this website, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.
Should this Privacy Policy change, the updated version will be published on this page so that you remain informed of what information we collect and how it is used.
Where required by law, we may request your explicit consent before processing certain categories of personal information.
Collection and Processing of Personal Information
SEDMED collects personal information only where it is necessary to provide our services, respond to enquiries or comply with legal obligations.
Personal information may be collected when you:
- submit an enquiry through our website;
- contact us by telephone or email;
- request information or assistance;
- subscribe to communications;
- participate in surveys or feedback initiatives;
- apply for employment opportunities; or
- otherwise voluntarily provide information to us.
When you visit our website, we may also automatically collect certain technical information, including:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- device information;
- operating system;
- pages visited;
- referring website; and
- website usage information through cookies and similar technologies.
How We Use Your Information
SEDMED may use your personal information to:
- respond to enquiries and requests;
- administer our services and member support;
- provide customer assistance;
- communicate important service updates;
- send newsletters or marketing communications where you have consented or where permitted by law;
- improve our website and services;
- conduct research, surveys and statistical analysis;
- comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
- detect and prevent fraud or unlawful activity; and
- fulfil contractual obligations.
We will not use your personal information for purposes that are incompatible with those described in this Privacy Policy without obtaining your consent where required.
Special Personal Information
As a medical scheme, SEDMED may process special personal information, including health-related information, where necessary to administer benefits, process claims, provide member services or comply with legal obligations.
Such information is processed only where permitted under POPIA and is protected using appropriate organisational and technical safeguards.
IP Addresses
SEDMED may use IP addresses to:
- administer and secure our website;
- diagnose technical issues;
- improve website performance;
- analyse website usage; and
- generate anonymous statistical information.
Unless authorised by you or required by law, IP addresses are not used to identify individual visitors.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- improve website functionality;
- remember user preferences;
- analyse website traffic;
- understand visitor behaviour; and
- enhance your browsing experience.
Most browsers allow cookies to be disabled or managed through browser settings. Please note that some website functionality may be affected if cookies are disabled.
Email Communications
If you provide your email address, SEDMED may use it to:
- respond to your enquiries;
- provide requested information;
- send service-related communications;
- notify you of important updates; and
- send newsletters or marketing communications where appropriate.
You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions contained within those communications or by contacting us directly.
Sharing Personal Information
SEDMED does not sell or rent personal information to third parties.
We may disclose personal information where necessary to:
- trusted service providers who assist us in operating our business;
- IT service providers;
- website hosting providers;
- payment processors where applicable;
- professional advisers;
- regulatory authorities; or
- other parties where disclosure is required by law.
These parties are required to protect your information and may process it only for authorised business purposes.
Personal information may also be disclosed where necessary to:
- comply with legal obligations;
- respond to lawful requests from regulatory or government authorities;
- protect the rights, property or safety of SEDMED, our members or others; or
- investigate suspected fraud or unlawful activity.
Should SEDMED undergo a merger, acquisition or organisational restructuring, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to appropriate confidentiality and legal protections.
Security of Personal Information
SEDMED maintains appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.
Although no electronic system can be guaranteed completely secure, we continually review and improve our security measures in accordance with recognised industry practices.
Our employees and authorised service providers are required to maintain the confidentiality of personal information.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites.
SEDMED is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any websites they visit.
Marketing Preferences
Where permitted by law, SEDMED may communicate information regarding services, updates or other relevant matters.
You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time. Service-related communications that are necessary to administer your relationship with SEDMED may continue to be sent where required.
Data Retention
SEDMED retains personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with legal, regulatory or contractual obligations.
When personal information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted, destroyed or anonymised in accordance with applicable legislation.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Should we become aware that such information has been collected without appropriate consent, we will take reasonable steps to remove it.
Your Rights Under POPIA
Subject to applicable legislation, you have the right to:
- request access to your personal information;
- request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
- request deletion where appropriate;
- object to certain processing activities;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and
- lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) if you believe your personal information has not been processed in accordance with POPIA.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, wish to access or update your personal information, or would like to exercise any of your rights, please contact us:
SEDMED Medical Scheme
2 Fairview Street
Bloemfontein, 9301
South Africa
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 468
Bloemfontein, 9300
South Africa
Telephone: +27 51 447 8991
Fax: +27 51 448 3800
Email: info@sedmed.co.za
Should your enquiry relate specifically to the processing of personal information, it will be referred to SEDMED’s Information Officer or authorised representative for further assistance.