Medical aid schemes in South Africa have come a long way since their inception sometime during the mid-1900's. Growing competition between the biggest South African medical aid schemes and health insurance companies has led to medical aid and health insurance becoming more accessible in the South African context.
his trend, combined with South African medical aid members' increasingly specialised healthcare requirements, has seen medical aids and health insurance companies start focusing on providing better customer service, maximum medical cover on hospital plans and significant added-value and loyalty rewards on the comprehensive medical aid plans.
The need to have a reliable and affordable South African medical aid plan is by no means a new discovery. Starting a family without the appropriate medical aid plan is not wise, and as such most medical aid schemes have tailored family health insurance packages aimed at preserving the vitality of the family.
Additionally, men's health and women's health insurance requirements are also being addressed through a range of flexible medical aid plans, classically varying from hospital plans for the young and fit, to comprehensive medical cover packages for older members.
Chronic benefits and health cover for chronic illnesses is a very important aspect to consider when selecting amedical aid plan. Doing your homework properly beforehand will save you a lot of money and go a long way to securing your good health. Remember: getting a medical aid quote doesn't cost any money! You will also have peace of mind knowing that your medical expenses will be covered by your medical aid in case of extended periods of hospitalisation and physical or mental illness.
As such, a medical aid plan is one of the most important types of insurance you could ever sign up for. Spending too little on your medical aid policy could result in major unforeseen medical expenses through medical claims that aren't covered by your medical aid or health insurance package.
Choosing the right medical aid company is critical. Choosing the right medical aid plan, even more so!
Be sure to get medical insurance from a well-respected and established medical aid scheme. This will ensure that you get admitted to hospital quicker and without cumbersome administration during a medical emergency.
Determine what your medical aid and health insurance needs are by contacting a Selfmed Medical Aid Consultant today!
In choosing medical aid cover, people nowadays increasingly tend to opt for hospital plans or health insurance products instead of full comprehensive medical plans. The reason for this trend is that hospital plans are seen to be more affordable than the traditional medical aid plans, which in recent years have become a luxury for many families, averaging R1454 per family in the period 2002 to 2004. People are also increasingly willing to manage their day-to-day primary healthcare expense themselves by using facilities such as Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) or medical credit/debit cards. Hospital plans allow you more direct control over your medical spending and the management of your budget, but be aware that they differ significantly from medical insurance and comprehensive medical plans in terms of their levels of medical cover…
There are some key differences between these three types of products. Hospital plans occupy a middle ground of sorts between medical insurance and comprehensive medical plans, not only in terms of the levels of cover they give, but also in terms of the pricing. Hospital plan is the ideal option if you are looking for complete health cover in terms of major medical expenses at a reasonable fixed monthly price. Review Selfmed’s hospital plan and its benefits to get an idea of the features and medical benefits involved.
Medical insurance is a simple insurance policy that is taken out from insurance companies and covers you for a set amount per day for your hospitalisation needs (typical payouts might start at R300 per night spent in hospital). Alternatively, such policies may pay out a set fee for specific procedures. Many insurance companies - and even banks that have insurance companies underwrite policies - are offering these and referring to them as "hospital plans". Always beware of the small print and make sure that you understand the meaning of all the exclusion and limitations.
Quite simply said, a medical aid offering you a hospital plan will offer you significantly higher levels of cover – and peace of mind - despite the fact that it might cost slightly more than the insurance policy. With most medical insurance cover plans, you can also choose where you want the operation to take place. Additionally, any surplus that the insurance pays out in the lump – over and above the price you pay for the procedure – you even get to keep. Some of them also offer you cash-back incentives and no-claims bonuses. This is also very different to a true hospital plan offered by a medical aid, which is a product negotiated by the medical aid schemes with hospital chains, where 100% of the agreed tariffs are covered if a preferred provider is used. Very often a good hospital plan will even allow for unlimited in-hospital procedures and usually pays standard medical aid tariffs or BHF rates. If you are involved in a serious vehicle accident, for example, your hospital bills could easily be upwards of R100 000 for a single person; and much more for an entire family to be hospitalised, especially if you need to be in the emergency ward or intensive care unit of a private hospital. Also, if there are complications with an operation, costs can soar even higher. This is where a hospital plan is indispensable: It allows you to have the peace of mind that you are covered more fully, and won’t just receive a once-off payout on diagnosis of a condition, or for a type of operation where the benefits payable to you will be capped and limited. Plans from medical schemes are typically healthcare products where you manage day-to-day medical expenses yourself, so paying standard medical consultation bills and over-the-counter medicines remains your responsibility. Actual payouts are done by your medical scheme to the service provider, in this case the hospital, so you are also not left with all the hassles and paperwork associated with being hospitalised.
The key difference between hospital plans and more comprehensive options is that a comprehensive medical aid plan will make provision for out-of-hospital expenditure such as regular doctor visits and medicines. Hospital plans usually do not cover these services, so out-of-hospital expenses such as optometrists, dentists and alternative health services will need to be settled by the member.
In determining your medical cover needs and benefits, always make sure you make an informed decision by speaking to a consultant to find out more about the available medical aid options.
O'Brien Financial Services is an authorized Financial Services Provider ( FSP License no. 19808 ). Founded in 1975, we continue to provide services to our clients in the areas of Personal and Corporate Financial Planning.
| Tel: | +2721 671 5014 |
| Fax: | +2721 671 6136 |
| Email: | obfs@worldonline.co.za |
| Website: | www.gatewayplan.com |
The Private Client Group provides a full range of financial services to individuals and companies, specialising in portfolio management, taxation, accounting and personal financial planning.
| Tel: | +2721 426 2111 |
| Fax: | +2721 426 2147 |
| Email: | info@privateclient.co.za |
| Website: | www.privateclient.com |
Hilda Sedinjane turned to the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane for an order that she be recognised as the true wife of deceased Seabela Malatji. The parties concluded a customary marriage in 1988 as evidenced by a lobola certificate and four children were born of the marriage. V.5574
"This is so great, I have now been out and gotten us not only one but two bottles of Graham Beck! At least one of the glasses will be drunk as a salute to you and Rod and everyone else at SAMI!
Thank you so much for all your help, your help has really been more than invaluable to us!"
SAMI issues a monthly Newsletter to update you on topical immigration and related matters that we believe you should be aware of especially with regard to the procedures and rules pertaining thereto. These newsletters will provide you with useful information on any aspect of life related to immigration and relocation. If you are interested in a visa or just to visit you should subscribe to the Free Newsletter service of SAMI.
