Friday, March 23, 2012

Medical Aids in South Africa

It is easy to find medical aids in South Africa, as there are many schemes competing for business. Despite a universal healthcare system, most South Africans are not prepared to put up with the substandard level of care that patients often receive. Consequently, they end up going private and medical aids in South Africa are generally seen as the best way to ensure that all of their medical care is paid for. Although the state healthcare system may not cost South Africans anything directly, since it is funded through taxation, this also means that hospitals have very few resources, which have to be divided up between large numbers of patients.

Medical aids in South Africa enable South Africans to access better quality hospitals and treatment, which is why they are so popular. Some are able to access these schemes because the company they work for pays contributions to a health plan. Not all employers are prepared to do this, though, and so many South Africans find themselves looking at different medical aid providers online and searching for the best deals. They would rather pay a monthly contribution to ensure that they can get a decent standard of care than take a gamble and rely on state healthcare provision.

There are many medical aids in South Africa, but don’t let that put you off. With so many different schemes to choose from, it simply means you have a greater chance of getting the right deal for you. If one medical provider offers you a quote that seems too high, you can simply move on to another provider and see how much they want to charge you. It doesn’t take that long to search for online quotes and at least by comparing the different schemes and prices, you can feel reassured that you have saved yourself some money in the long run.

You will discover that the Medical aids in South Africa offer a variety of different options. Some will cover any medical expenses you encounter while in hospital and even when you visit your doctor. Other medical aid plans will be more limited and cover your hospital expenses only, so that medication and any other additional treatment will have to be funded by you. Clearly, if you expect to have all your costs covered, you will have to pay for this in terms of monthly contributions. If you’re on a limited income you may have to be more selective in the policy you choose.

What matters is that you find a medical aid plan which offers you as much protection as you and your family can afford. Sometimes, you would like to be able to afford a greater amount of coverage, which is why it is worth looking around at different plans available, as you may discover that some plans offer you more coverage for less money. You need to assess what your health needs are likely to be in the future and to find a plan that you feel comfortable with, so that you don’t have to worry about your health care.



Health care issues are front page news almost every day. As health care costs continue to climb, new shortfalls in the national health plan are revealed, and the gap between what people can afford and the health care that they require continues to grow. More and more families are trying to survive with less and less of the services and treatments that they really need.

The only option available to many are the medical aids in South Africa, which can help to provide the coverage to pay for the services required to maintain the family’s health.

• National Health Care:
The country’s national health care service does its best to provide for the health care needs of each citizen, and many try to meet their health care needs with this scheme. But any national plan has inherent limitations:
o National Health Care must try to meet the needs of the millions who live in South Africa, many of which are not sufficiently employed to be making a significant contribution to the scheme.
o Due to the financial problems facing the entire world, revenue is down, putting a strain on the National scheme’s financial reserves.
o The cost of medical care continues to blossom, rising faster than any other major sector of the economy. And with no signs of slowing down.

• Closed Medical Aids Schemes:
Among the first of the medical aids in South Africa were the close schemes which were only available to people working in specific industries. These include the medical aids available to government workers and police. To help attract superior employees, business in South Africa began working with medical aids providers to set up schemes for their employees. Since in either case, the employer pays into the plan on behalf of the employee, these schemes are very cost effective. But less than 5% of the South African workforce has access to these closed medical aids schemes.

• Open Medical Aids:
The open Medical Aids in South Africa are trying to close the gap in health care coverage. These plans are available to anyone, regardless of where they are employed. If you can pay the rates, you can participate in the scheme.

• Limitations of Open Medical Aids in South Africa:
Since the providers of these services are looking to make a profit themselves, these schemes are not cheap. In fact, many are still beyond the reach of most segments of the South African population. But there are ways that you can find a plan with rates that you can afford:
o Check out several plans. Each provider has its own approach to structuring medial aids schemes. Some are better at covering certain types of medical needs than others. Make sure the scheme that you choose excels in the areas of greatest need for your family.

o Many offer coverage options that can save you money. If you are young, and your family is in generally good health, you may opt for a hospitalization only plan. This allows you protection should you, or a family member, becomes injured, contracts a serious illness, or develops a chronic condition that will require extended treatment or therapy to combat.
On the downside, you will have to pay for the regular doctor’s visits, many of the prescription medications that you need, and other items from your own pocket.

For more information, go to Medical Aid Quotes

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