How to Change Medical Aids in 5 Easy Steps

Many of us struggle with the question of how to change medical aids? Is it a complicated procedure? Will I pay penalties if I change medical aids? What are the benefits of these changes? What are the risks involved?

We all have different reasons for wanting to change medical aids; better premiums, change in financial status, poor service, moving from one employer to another, the list goes on and on and on.

Is changing medical aids a complicated procedure?

Changing medical schemes should be a simple procedure if you follow these simple steps:

1. Get medical aid quotes and study them.

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2. Pick a medical aid that suits you better.

3. Notify your current medical aid in writing that you want to cancel your medical plan. This is usually a month in advance.

4. Acquire a proof of membership certificate from your current medical aid. This will state the date your cover will cease.

5. Fill out the application forms for the new medical aid scheme you wish to join. Be sure to add certified FICA documents. That is a copy of your ID and proof of address as well as the proof of membership document. The new scheme usually informs you within 7 days if your application was successful.

Are there any penalties should I change?

There should be no penalties involved if you adhere to the rules of your current scheme for instance the notice period.

What are the benefits involved should I change?

• More affordable premiums

• Better benefits

• Being part of a scheme with a better reputation

• Less co-payments or deposits on certain procedures, consultations or medication.

What are the risks involved?

• You could be required to adhere to a waiting period.

• You might have to use a specific network of service providers.

• Some pre-existing conditions might be excluded for up to 12 months.

Conditions that do not have a waiting period:

• Waiting periods are not applicable to children that are born during the period of membership.

• Prescribed minimum benefits (PMB’s) are not liable to waiting periods. PMB’s are a list of conditions that medical aids are obliged to pay, according to the law. These conditions have to be paid in full without co-payments. The list contains 260 conditions for instance- diabetes, high blood pressure etc.

• When an employee has to change medical aid involuntarily due to a change of occupation.

• When a company changes from one scheme to another. This usually happens at the end of the year.

• When a client changes plans within the same company.

Your medical cover at your old scheme will end at midnight on the last day of the month, and your new scheme will then take over your cover. This means you can change between medical plans without losing your cover.

Now the how to change medical aids question does not need to be something to lose sleep over. The most complicated part of the whole changeover is to choose the best medical plan for you. You can here an interesting article about the responsibilities of medical aid members. © Medical Aid Plan

COMPLETE THIS FORM TO GET YOUR MEDICAL AID QUOTES!

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.