Medical aids in South Africa do not accept a child or children under the age of 18 years to be the only members on the scheme without an adult member (main member). There are certain special circumstances where this will be allowed but it should be discussed with the individual medical scheme or an accredited medical aid broker. The exception to this rule is if a parent or guardian who was previously the main member is now deceased but there are financial resources to keep the medical aid membership going for the children. In this instance, minors will be the sole members on the medical aid.
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Facing the prospect of retrenchment can be quite taxing on any person and one has to consider a host of financial hardships that will inevitably arise due to the lack of employment. Most people choose to trim unnecessary expenses and insurance cover as well as medical aid is often stopped in order to stretch the monthly budget.
However, the cost of private healthcare in South Africa means that you will be financially strained should you not have medical aid cover nor the cash to pay for your medical bills. So what should you do about medical aid cover if you are employed or soon to be retrenched?
The list of registered South African medical aids was sourced from the Councils of Medical Schemes website. Some of these medical aids may have discontinued business or changed their contact details. This list serves as a guide and Vitacare Health will not be held liable for any incorrect information. Always refer to the medical aid’s website or phone the call centre for more information. New medical aids may not be listed here.
A restricted medical aid means that only employees of a certain company or workers of a specific sector of industry can join the medical scheme. It is not open to the general public.
Medical aid cover is open to a person who has been diagnosed as HIV positive and in most instances, there is no additional cost for the benefits. Most medical aids in South Africa do have strict exclusion policies where any pre-existing chronic condition will not be covered in the first year of joining the medical aid – the same may apply for HIV/AIDS. However, after this exclusion period, you will enjoy the full benefits of medical aid cover with special programs for HIV/AIDS patients ensuring that you get the best care.
Medical aids usually do not cover any procedure or treatment for a pre-existing condition within the first year of joining a scheme. Expectant mothers without medical aid cover are often concerned about whether a medical aid will pay for the delivery costs should they join a medical after falling pregnant.
Medical aid cover is essential if you want to quality medical care at a private facility. While there are hundreds of options, with different medical aids in South Africa offering a variety of plans, making the correct choice at the outset is important – both for your budget and your health care needs. The reality is that not everyone can afford the best medical care that money can buy but even cheap medical aid cover will offer sufficient benefits to secure you quality services when you need it the most.
Maternity benefits included
Pre-existing conditions covered (excl HIV/Aids)