How to Join Medical Schemes

South Africa is home to a large number of sound medical schemes and South Africans are spoilt for choice when it comes to the wide variety of plans on offer.
Every citizen has the right to join any of the open medical schemes, but choosing one and knowing how to join medical schemes is not always an easy task.

How to Join Medical Schemes: Main factors to consider

When evaluating the various medical aids to learn how to join medical schemes there are three important factors to consider:

• The state of your health. It may be wise to obtain a professional assessment of your medical needs (including possible future needs) and also the needs of every dependent. This will include research on the medical history of the family.
• Your financial situation. Medical aid can be costly and it is important to choose a plan that is affordable in the long term. It is important to choose the best plan that you could afford. Your health is your most important asset and if you do not enjoy full cover when catastrophe strikes you may be unable to afford quality care. Young people that are fit and that lead healthy lifestyles may feel that they need no more than a comprehensive hospital plan, but it is important to make sure the plan can be upgraded when circumstances change, such as when you start a family.
• The benefits offered by the various schemes and the plans that they offer.

How to join medical schemes

It is important to conduct thorough research before deciding upon a specific scheme. Here are some pointers on how to join medical schemes:

• Consider using a medical aid broker to join. These professionals are better able to explain the benefits offered by specific plans and they can help you to choose the plan that best fits your unique needs and your budget.
• There are a number of excellent websites that provide independent and objective information about the various schemes. Some websites have facilities that allow you to obtain several quotations from different schemes before you join. These quotations allow you to compare the various plans with each other.
• Check consumer feedback sites before you join any particular scheme. If there are numerous complaints about a specific medical scheme it may be better to look elsewhere.

Joining a scheme

1. Complete the application to join. When completing the application form it is very important to be completely honest. If you fail to provide accurate and full information the medical scheme will refuse future claims. You may even lose your membership status. It is also very important to study the terms and conditions thoroughly and to ask the scheme for clarification if you have any questions. Once you hand in your application it is too late to change your mind.
2. Submit your application. Once your completed application form is delivered to the scheme they will process the application. In some cases they may require clarification, supporting documents or additional information. They may also refuse the application.
3. Termination of membership with other schemes. If you have moved from one scheme to another you have to terminate your membership with the old scheme. It is illegal to belong to more than one medical aid scheme. Ideally, the old scheme should be cancelled on the very day that the new scheme becomes active. In this way you will not have a period where you do not have any cover at all.
4. Activation. Your medical scheme will inform you of the date from which your new plan will be active. Remember that some schemes have waiting periods. They will also provide you with detailed information regarding the plan you chose and the procedures you must follow to make use of the benefits that are part of your plan. © Medical Aid Plan

NOTES:

Your medical aid quote will include options to suit your pocket. Please ensure that the cover you select and the scheme option you join 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.