The Best Medical Aid

The importance of becoming a member of a medical scheme can simply not be overemphasized. Although South Africa boasts a robust public health system, this option is not always the best.

The public health system is seriously overburdened, and patients often have to wait for a long time before they are able to obtain specialist treatment. The private health system provides high-quality care, but the cost is prohibitive. The only real solution is to become a member of a medical aid in South Africa. Finding the best medical aid, however, can be a mission.

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There is no such thing as the best or the cheapest or the most reliable medical aid. South Africans are lucky to have access to several medical schemes that are all reliable, reputable, financially sound, and that boast high levels of customer satisfaction. The best scheme for one person would not necessarily be the best for the next person. However, there are a number of factors and tools that can help you to choose the plan that will best serve your needs and your budget.

• One of the easiest ways in which to compare schemes is to use the internet. There are several websites that offer excellent comparison tools. These sites require you to provide relevant personal information only once and they produce several quotations from various schemes. It is very important to provide as much information as possible. If not, the quotations will not reflect plans that will best suit your needs.
• All medical aid plans must provide cover for those conditions on the Prescribed Minimum Benefits list. This list has been drawn up by the Council for Medical Schemes, and all schemes are obliged to cover those conditions, regardless of the plan chosen. However, some plans limit the cover provided, and there are degrees of cover in most plans. It is important to find out exactly what type of treatment will be covered.
• Many schemes require their members to make use of a specific network of service providers. If they don’t, they are held liable for the cost of treatment. Some people may not like this idea. It is important to check with the scheme and to find out to which degree members can choose their own medical service providers.
• Most medical schemes offer hospital plans that promise full cover for in-hospital treatment. What some neglect to point out is the fact that they will only pay according to the approved medical aid rates. The reality is that many private hospitals and most specialists charge far in excess of the approved rates. This means that the member will end up with a sizable financial liability after hospital treatment.
• The best medical aids, such as the Bonitas medical aid, Discovery, and Momentum, amongst others, offer value-added benefits. This may take the form of free or discounted gym memberships, free preventive treatment programs, free screens and scans, cash-back bonuses, and free health assessments. It may be a good idea to check whether your scheme has any reward programs.
• Many schemes offer their members flexibility. It is always a good idea to choose a plan that can be upgraded at a later stage when personal needs change or when more money is available for more comprehensive cover.

It can be difficult to find the best medical aid, but with patience and a bit of research, everybody is sure to find a plan that will suit their unique needs. © Medical Aid Plan

NOTES:

Your medical aid quote will include options to suit your pocket. Please ensure that the cover you select is exactly what you need and that you understand exactly what insurance you are buying. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the medical aid or hospital cover you choose.