Why medical aid is a must for maintaining your health and well-being

We often want to ditch those grudge payments we feel we must pay. But we need to resist the urge to splurge on superficial services. Instead, we should ensure we have a comprehensive medical aid in place. That is so we can preserve that most precious resource – health.

By freeing up funds for life’s little indulgences, you’ll actually be doing yourself and your family immense harm. Medical aid is exactly that – aid when you need it most. It’s for time when you have lost your perfec health and you’re vulnerable. It’s important when you’re too ill to cover those month-end bills. Or when you’re unable to bring home a regular pay package. But medical aid is more than that Good Health Depends on Good Medical Cover– it provides peace of mind and the knowledge that, come ill-health or accident, your medical bills will be taken care of.

Health issues lead to stress

If you have no medical aid cover, the anxiety you experience as a result of this may compromise your immunity. It might push up those cortisol levels, contributing to stress-induced illnesses. Extra stress and a compromised immune system feed into our daily relationships and impair our good judgement. So, there’s a very real knock-on effect when you opt to go coverless.

And if you’re still in doubt and would prefer cash in the hand to cover for the future, the medical stats speak volumes:

  • The average private hospital often requires an upfront deposit of R3000 – R15 000, depending on the medical condition. For bypass surgery, you must pay a cash deposit of R50 000.
  • A hospital bed in an average private hospital will cost between R1200 – R2000 per day, for a bed and meals only. This excludes consultation fees, medication, disposable items, specialist physician fees (such as a surgeon or anaesthetist), specialised tests (such as blood tests, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds).
  • A heart attack can cost R200 000 in just 10 days at an average private hospital.

(Source: Private Hospitals for Non-Medical Aid Patients: Costs and Care, 2107. www.vitacare.co.za)

Small sacrifice to enjoy good health

Therefore it makes no sense to sacrifice cover for cash, especially when you have a medical emergency.

None of us can predict what lies ahead, and that’s why KeyHealth Medical Scheme has developed Easy-ER. This first-of-its-kind offering gives each beneficiary of the scheme direct access to the ER (Emergency Room), the first port of call for any medical emergency. This immediate access comes without any hassle or hidden fees, and won’t come from your pocket savings or day-to-day benefits. In fact, KeyHealth guarantees full payment in emergencies such as sports injuries, playground mishaps, car accidents, sudden illnesses that require urgent care, and in trauma situations.

Having cover in place shows that you care, and one of the fantastic features of the Easy-ER scheme is the card for children. KeyHealth developed the card to ensure that all KeyHealth kids get free, immediate access to the ER, even without a parent in tow. “If you’re at work and can’t get away quickly, your child can still get the care they deserve. And if your child has lost their card, Easy-ER has a 24-hour free call centre where all their details have been captured” says Barry Kruger, Chief Executive Officer, KeyHealth Medical Scheme.

So, faced with the quick-change and unpredictability of life, choose calm, caring solutions rather than cash in your pocket. With KeyHealth Medical Scheme, you clear the road ahead.

Get a medical insurance policy now.

All info was correct at time of publishing