When it comes to getting the best possible coverage at an affordable price from schemes such as Netcare medical aid there are a few important things that you need to keep in mind. The choice can be overwhelming if you do not know what exactly to look for, so we have put together this list of the key points to consider when choosing medical aid.
- Look At The Level Of Coverage
Every medical aid program offers slightly different levels of coverage. You may find that one scheme covers pregnancy while another doesn’t. Even between plans in the same scheme there can be large differences in cover. It is important to think about what sort of cover is important to you so that you can make sure it is included in your plan.
- Look Into Payment Policies
When it comes to paying for your medical treatment procedures differ between schemes. For example, what Netcare medical aid does may not be what Liberty does. Some schemes will pay providers directly meaning that you only have to pay your agreed deductible or co-pay amount. However, with other schemes you may be expected to pay your own medical bills and then submit a claim to be reimbursed. Depending on your medical aid provider it could take as long as 30 days to receive your refund.
- How Much Will It Cost
Perhaps the most important consideration when choosing your medical aid provider is the cost of cover. It is a good idea to work out how much your budget for health care is so that you can immediately eliminate those which are too expensive. It is never wise to sign up for medical aid you cannot afford as your cover will lapse if you are not up to date on payments. Always keep in mind that more expensive is not always better, it could be that you would be paying for services you will never use so make sure you are looking at which plan offers the best value for money.
- Have You Considered Your Health
When choosing medical aid you need to take your own health and the health of any family members attached to the plan into consideration. If you have an existing condition then you need to make sure that your medical aid will cover your treatment. Some of the chronic illnesses covered by Netcare medical aid include: Asthma, Bipolar, COPD, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, Haemophilia, Parkinson’s Disease and Schizophrenia among others. However, this list will be different with other providers so take care to ensure your condition is on the list.
- Does The Scheme Cover Hospital Care?
Not every medical scheme covers hospital care as standard. Often it is added as an additional premium for those requesting it. If you can afford to do so you should definitely opt for a plan which offers hospital care as you will never know when you might require treatment in a hospital or ER. As an example, the Netcare medical aid scheme does include hospital care provided you are admitted to an approved treatment facility within the Netcare group. Hospitalisation must also be pre-authorised under the rules of the Netcare medical aid scheme.
These are the top 5 things to take into consideration when choosing the right medical aid cover for you and your family, but you may have additional needs in which case you must thoroughly examine the terms and conditions of the program before making a commitment.
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