Joining a medical aid is a simple process. You can either go through an accredited broker who acts as an intermediary between you and the medical aid or you can contact the medical scheme directly and request application forms. Most medical aids now have online platforms where you can enter your details and the scheme will contact you with quotes and email you the application form.
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.
The termination of a pregnancy is the right of every expectant mother in South Africa. However, many women experience difficulty in getting the appropriate advice on the costs and facilities associated with an abortion. There are many private abortion clinics in South Africa and while government hospitals should also offer this service, the strained public health care system does not always give priority to abortions. Medical aids may cover the cost of an abortion, however, some medical aids limit the number of times the procedure may be conducted or may not cover the procedure at all.
Pregnancy is one of the times when a person reassesses their medical aid cover as the costs associated with childbirth can be expensive. Considering the high costs of private health care, it is only natural for mothers to be concerned about the extent of cover for their pregnancy and childbirth, as well as cover for any complications that may arise, especially those that can affect the baby. Proper cover is essential and ideally you should have comprehensive medical aid cover before you fall pregnant (refer to Medical Aid for Pregnant Women).
Many medical aids now offer a medical savings option on some plans which fund day-to-day medical expenses but can also be used to supplement any in-hospital costs that are not covered by your medical aid. Unlike the predefined day-to-day limits or insured out-of-hospital benefit, a medical savings account does not expire at the end of the year and can be carried over to the next year of cover.
Medical aid is a form of health insurance cover which pays for essential medical services to registered practitioners, health facilities, clinics and hospitals. This form of private health cover varies from country to country but in South Africa, it is structured as a product referred to as a medical aid. It may provide cover for an individual, couple or family and will protect the member and dependents from the financial impact of private health care costs.
A medical aid is not like other forms of insurance. Medical aids pay for services and products on an ongoing basis and it is not a type of policy that will only mature or payout under certain circumstances. It is nevertheless an insurance product provided by financial service providers with certain policies regarding cover and the payment of services.
Maternity benefits included
Pre-existing conditions covered (excl HIV/Aids)