While you can leave a medical and join another at any time, most medical aids have strict policies about changing your plan within the same scheme during the course of the year. This may be restricted altogether or limited according to specific criteria for a number of reasons. If you intend on changing your medical aid plan, whether you wish to move up to a higher plan or downgrade to a lower plan, it is best to do it at the year end.
Medical aid cover is somewhat of an essential insurance if you want to access quality health care services. Even if you are young and healthy, you may fall ill at any time, be a victim of crime or have an accident. When you need health care, you want the best medical services available and despite the government’s best efforts to provide quality care, the public health system is overburdened and understaffed. The possibility of a labour strike or budget cuts may mean that you are at the mercy of those with wage disputes or a lack of resources. A medical aid is the way to ensure that you have access to quality health care at any time.
Gallstones are small solid particles that are either found within the gallbladder or the bile ducts which drain bile out of the liver and gallbladder. Most gallstones are cholesterol stones and either dissolve in the bladder or pass out with no symptoms. However, if the stone lodges in the duct, it can cause severe pain and lead to a number of conditions like jaundice.
A company medical aid is any medical scheme cover subsidised by the employer. Sometimes this is cover on a restricted or closed medical aid which is only available to employees of a specific company or sector of industry. At other times, employers may subsidise monthly medical aid contributions for their employees on open medical aids.
Employers are not obliged to subsidise medical aid cover for their employees and this perk should not be confused with other mandatory benefits like UIF (unemployment insurance fund).
People living with HIV have the same reproductive rights as any other person and it is not uncommon for an HIV positive man or woman to consider having a child despite the risks associated with conception. However, women who are HIV positive and planning to fall pregnant or women who are negative but wanting to conceive with a partner who is HIV positive have much to consider before conception. The priority is a healthy pregnancy without transmitting the infection to the child and this is achievable with effective HIV management.
A blood clot is simply a coagulated mass of blood components that functions as a plug to prevent the loss of blood. The process of clotting or blood coagulation is an efficient life-saving mechanism that is designed to seal any injury to the blood vessel until the wall of the vessel can restore the lining. This process is seen when you develop a scab over a cut or bleeding sore.
Maternity benefits included
Pre-existing conditions covered (excl HIV/Aids)