Medical aid rates in South Africa differ significantly among the medical aid scheme, your plan of choice and services covered by the scheme. Medical aid cover may start from as little as R400 for a single person providing in-hospital cover with a chronic medicine benefit to R3000 per adult member on the upper level plans. Medical aid prices may seem exorbitant in some instances but if you weigh out your benefits should your require medical care, the monthly premium is minimal in comparison.
Most medical aids in South Africa will accept any applicant wishing to join their scheme without requesting blood tests to verify diseases or medical disorders. However, applicants are requested to divulge all their pre-existing conditions or significant past medical history to the medical aid upon application. Failure to do so could have serious implications in the future should you or your health care provider attempt to claim from your medical aid.
A medical aid is a form of health insurance where the scheme covers the costs of your medical needs. Should you require medical attention, you can visit a doctor or a hospital and your medical aid will pay for most, if not all of your medical expenses. In South Africa, your medical aid will often pay your doctor or the hospital directly for your medical expenses provided that your practitioner is contracted into medical aids.
