Medical aids will not cover certain procedures, particularly cosmetic surgery and weight loss procedures. Other non-essential medical services like infertility procedures and LASIK may not be covered in full by medical aids, with many schemes now covering any part of the costs. A medical loan may be your only option should you not have the cash in hand to pay for these procedures.
Medical aids classify certain procedures as non-essential – meaning that it is not of a life-threatening nature should it not be conducted. LASIK eye surgery and cosmetic surgery are considered as non-essential service. While most medical aids in South Africa will partly cover the costs of the LASIK procedure, almost all medical aids do not pay for cosmetic surgery.
