Don’t Cancel Your Medical Aid
Most South Africans join medical schemes to avoid having to go to a defunct state hospital Some are lucky to join a medical scheme through their employment. This spares them from having to pay the full amount out-of-pocket for private health care. So don’t Cancel Your Medical Aid.
Having a medical aid provides people with access to better-resourced health care facilities that would otherwise be beyond their abilities.
Everybody Just Wants a Simple, Uncomplicated Plan
Not only low-income people but middle and high-income people are looking at medical aid costs. And wondering if they shouldn’t cancel. They’re not pleased that medical schemes seem incapable of coming up with a simple, straightforward plan which accommodates them. And particularly low-income individuals.
When you look at hospitals in South Africa, the state of South Africa’s government hospitals is what ultimately keeps people from cancelling their medical aids. Even young, healthy individuals are holding onto their medical aids as opposed to not having any cover at all. Cancelling your medical aid to cut down on expenses can have far-reaching negative consequences – it could be your death.
A Medical Emergency and No Means to Pay
If you are suddenly faced with an emergency and need to be admitted to a hospital. Without medical aid, it can be your worst nightmare trying to find money to pay for treatment. Some of the essential medical procedures can cost in the region of R15 000.
Even if you believe you’re fairly healthy, a stroke can strike out of the blue, so it’s never a good time to be without a medical aid. If you do cancel your medical aid, and then try to join later on again, you’ll be a new member and get a waiting period. You’ll have to pay contributions while there’s no cover.
Cost of Medical Care Beyond the Norm
The cost of treatments and medicines are high. And good health care in South Africa is more out of reach for South Africans. The annual consumer price inflation (CPI) rates were 7% in February this year, up from 6.2% in January.
The high cost of medical care can be because of lack of foreign investment in South Africa. A high cost of imported medications, rising debt and massive segregation between private- and public health care facilities.
Everybody is desperately trying to make ends meet, but cancelling your medical aid may not be a wise move. A sudden accident or illness could mean medical costs which could make you an instant church mouse. Not only that, without medical aid, you may also have to wait months for much-needed surgery.
There are always a few steps to take to reduce what you pay on your medical aid –
- Always make sure your specialists are part of the medical aid network and that they charge medical aid rates
- try to stay as healthy as possible
- be regularly reviewing your medical aid and check costs against other schemes
- Find out more about gap cover and the way it can save you from paying for cover your medical aid won’t cover.
- Always get authorization for an operation. Failing to can be a very costly mistake as well as you not disclosing pre-existing conditions.
Don’t Cancel Your Medical Aid
It can be so tempting to give up on medical aid, and many have already done so. Think very carefully before you cancel your medical aid. How will you feel when you can’t afford the treatment that will restore your precious child to health again?
All info was correct at time of publishing