Does Gap Cover for Medical Aid Exist in Every Country?
November 25, 2024
The short answer is that, no, gap cover for medical aid is homegrown and indigenous to South Africa. That is because medical gap cover is tied to medical scheme membership in this country.
Put another way, if you don’t belong to a medical aid that is registered with the Council for Medical Schemes in Pretoria, you do not qualify for gap cover in this country
But if you are a member of a South African medical aid you almost certainly need medical gap cover to ensure you are not out of pocket if you need to claim from your medical scheme.
Why can’t I get medical gap cover from my medical aid?
Medical aid is totally different from gap cover.
All South Africa’s many medical schemes are statutory bodies, which means that every medical aid in the country is governed by certain laws, which are quite stringent. Comprehensive medical aid and other kinds of health cover, such as hospita plans, are all that medical schemes may offer.
Gap cover, on the other hand, is an insurance product, totally untethered from medical schemes and the associated legislation. Instead the Short Term Insurance Act regulations apply to gap cover.
What does gap cover do in this country?
Overseas gap cover is for vehicles. You can get that type of vehicle cover in South Africa too. But gap cover for medical schemes is totally unique to this country.

There are many companies, large, medium and small that offer gap cover in South Africa. Some of these are Turnberry, Sanlam, Sirago and Xelus. We are associated with Zestlife, a leading gap cover company in this country. You can get a quote from Zestlife on this page. An agent will get hold of you right away to discuss your option.
Is gap cover expensive?
The good news is that in itself gap cover for medical aid is inexpensive. You can budget R400 to R800 a month depending on your medical aid plan. The other good news is that you can pick from any gap cover company for gap cover. And remember, the cost of gap cover is minimal compared to the hideous copayments you could face if you landed in hospital and needed specialist care.
Good News for Medical Aid Members
The good news is that in itself gap cover for medical aid is inexpensive. You can budget R400 to R800 a month depending on your medical aid plan.
The other good news is that you can pick from any gap cover company for gap cover.
And remember, the cost of gap cover is minimal compared to the hideous copayments you could face if you landed in hospital and needed specialist care.
Get a quote on this page if you are a medical aid member in South Africa. Please complete and submit the form right away. We will contact you
All info was correct at time of publishing