Policy for Medical Aid Members Who Want to Avoid Co-Payments
December 5, 2024
There is a special insurance policy available to all members of South African medical schemes.
The insurance is called gap cover – and this product is unique to South Africa.
(That’s because medical aid as we know it is unique to our country.)
How does gap cover work?
Let’s say you have a hospital plan or a standard medical aid plan.
It doesn’t matter what medical aid you are with – Discovery, Fedhealth, GEMS, Genesis – it’s all the same.
But wait.
Medical aid membership is no guarantee of payment-free healthcare.
Because, as you have probably found out to your cost, your medical plan will probably not cover your medical expenses.
That applies particularly if you have to have an operation in hospital.
And that applies even more if you have to see a specialist.
Remember: these providers can charge any amount they like for their services.
Your medical aid is unlikely to cover the total cost. The rest will be for your own pocket i.e. you will have to pay the balance yourself.
And these shortfalls or co-payments can amount to tens of thousands of rands.
How many people are in a position to pay this kind of money out of their own pockets?
How do I get a gap cover policy?
It’s easy to sign up for gap cover – provided that you already belong to a registered medical aid in South Africa.
To see a list of all the registered medical schemes in this country go here
Right. So you are a member of a registered scheme.
The next step is to get a quote from a seasoned, specialised short-term insurer.
Start your journey to getting that valuable policy document by completing and submitting the form on this page.
Soon an agent will be in touch to discuss your needs.
Finally, you sign up for gap cover and receive your policy statement.
And all this is done by email and on the phone!
Act now. Complete and submit the contact box on this page. We will contact you by email or phone
All info was correct at time of publishing