Friday 15 January 2016

Why having a trusted Medical Aid is vitally important

medical aid scheme
Perhaps you’re contemplating why signing up for a medical aid is really that important? You may not be sick often, or be using prescription medication - so why pay for something you’re not using? There are many things that’s acceptable to skip out on when the going gets tough, but ditching your medical aid isn’t one of them. 

This is why…

 ·         You don’t want to end up in a     Government Hospital –
Trust me, it’s not somewhere you want to end up. Depending on the type of Government Hospital. If it’s used for training purposes, the theatres are state of the art, clean and world-class, but the after-care is somewhat horrendous! You could be waiting months to receive treatment or to even see an available doctor. The food isn’t something I would recommend (also depending on which hospital you go to) for consumption, and you have to wait hours in line to register. You’re only a number when it comes to receiving treatment, and the quality of care you might receive is below that of a private hospital – in some cases. You may not be paying for treatment, but you get what you pay for.

·         You want to avoid penalties –
It’s a really good idea to get medical aid cover when you’re in your 20’s, as you run the risk of receiving penalties after the age of 30. Which means if you decide to sign up at the age of 40, you may receive 10 years’ worth of penalties – on top of paying your monthly premium.

·         You don’t want to get into serious debt –
In the unfortunate event of an accident, without medical aid, they will take you to the nearest hospital where (in most cases) you’d have to put down a percentage of the sum required to treat you before they even let you through the doors. Depending on the type of accident, the sum can go into the thousands. Resources most people don’t have. Those who do will almost ever have medical aid cover. Or the alternative is to transport you to a Government Hospital – which is where you don’t want to be. Also, if you’re not registered at that specific Government Hospital, they won’t treat you. So you’re stuck in the middle. Which means you’ll end up collecting large amounts of debt as you go along.


Things to consider when choosing the right option…

·         Find out which chronic conditions they cover.
·         Find out if your local GP covers that specific option.
·         Find out about the exclusions.
·         Find out about any benefits such as gym discounts, points received as well as free health checks.
·         Find out about the hospital limits.
·         Find out about the costs involved.


Whether you have a family to protect, or you’re unmarried, “investing” in an affordable medical aid scheme is vitally important to ensure you don’t end up in a sticky situation. You may seem like you’re paying each month for something you’re not really using, but the day you really need that support you’ll be glad to have Medihelp on your side!


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