Affordable Medical Aid

The South African medical aid industry continues to strive to provide its members with affordable healthcare cover.

And they will continue to do so in 2019 despite the growing pressures exerted by spiralling medical costs and the advent of National Health Insurance.

Consumers have a wide range of medical aid service providers from which to choose. Here we take a look at some of the most affordable products available on the market. All monthly premiums quoted are based on a family of four.

Affordable Fedhealth

myFED is an entry-level medical aid option that has been pinned at a comfortable monthly contribution of R2 580. Benefits include:

• Unlimited private hospitalisation at network hospitals
• Unlimited GP consultations at myFED contracted GPs
• Unlimited prescribed medication
• Basic dental and optometry cover
• Cover for 26 chronic medications on the Chronic Disease List (CDL) from the Scheme’s designated service providers
• Cover of 100% for non-contracted healthcare professionals
• An innovative wellness and preventative screening benefit
• Limited female contraceptives
• Flu vaccinations for the family free of charge
• Cover for children up to 27 years who are financially dependent

In 2019, myFED benefits have been extended to include:

• One annual prostate-specific antigen for males between 45 and 69 years
• Free access to Fedhealth’s Paed-IQ advice line for all paediatric advice

Affordable Genesis

Genesis Medical Scheme is proud of the fact that for the last six years it has had the lowest average increase in premiums. It had an increase of only 5.8% in 2018 and, in 2019, its Private Choice medical aid is offered at a monthly cost of R3 080 for a family of four.

The Genesis Medical Scheme is rated as one of the top five successful medical schemes in the country. This has been established when comparing its benefits versus the cost of membership. Other factors taken into consideration were its financial stability, size of membership, the average age of beneficiaries and the provision of service levels.

Genesis has been in operation since 1995, and points out that expensive cover doesn’t buy you a better bed in a hospital!

The Genesis Private Choice hospital medical aid includes many benefits, including the luxury of being able to choose any service provider.

• In-hospital cover
• Hospital and related costs
• Basic dentistry
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Major Illnesses

Hospital and related accounts such as theatre costs, x-rays, pathology, physiotherapy, blood transfusion and medication, are covered at 100% of Medical Aid Rates. This only applies to general ward or intensive and high care wards of a private or provincial hospital, day clinic, or the recovery room charges of an unattached operating theatre.

• Basic dentistry benefits include:
• Three dental oral examinations
• Six fillings
• Unlimited extractions
• Six x-rays for conservative dentistry
• Two root canal treatments
• Crowns, dentures, or bridges limited to R3 500
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Access to the ER24 Emergency Contact Centre
• Emergency pre-hospital treatment, evacuation and transport, including inter-hospital transfers, within the borders of South Africa

24/7 medical helpline service for medically-related enquiries 

Major illnesses 

Prescribed minimum benefits in private or state hospitals 

Exclusions 

MRI and CT scans 

Diagnostic scopes 

A medical savings plan 

Medication 

Consultations 

These benefits, however, are available at a higher monthly premium. 

Affordable Momentum Health

As Momentum so succinctly says, no matter how wealthy you may be, you cannot enjoy a good quality of life without good health. 

Momentum Health medical aid offers a variety of benefits such as: 

Free preventative screenings 

Savings on contributions 

Ability to pay claims efficiently 

Momentum Health will be increasing its annual premiums by an average of 10.7% in 2019. It will also introduce new products to improve and streamline its healthcare packages. 

For a monthly contribution of R1 204 for a family of four, the Ingwe Option offers: 

Affordable entry-level cover for hospitalisation up to R1 260 000 per family annually 

The choice of private hospitals on the Ingwe network 

The option of using a State hospital for even lower monthly contributions 

Chronic treatment and day-to-day benefits 

Affordable Bonitas

BonEssential Select will cost R3473 monthly for a family of four in 2019. 

While there is no savings option with this plan, children’s rates apply to full-time students up to age 24 years. 

Benefits include: 

A scheme rate of 100% 

Co-payment for up to 22 procedures 

Cover for 27 chronic illnesses 

Diagnosis and treatment for 270 Prescribed Minimum Benefits 

Generous travel insurance 

Exclusions 

Most maternity expenses 

Mammograms and pap smears 

Contraceptives 

Terminal care 

MRI scans 

Mental health issues 

However, all of these exclusions are available at a higher monthly premium. 

Conclusion 

This is just a basic sample of the many medical aid schemes available to South Africans today. 

Consumers are always urged to research the myriad of products that can be found online before making a final choice. 

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.